CBSE Class 11 Psychology Syllabus 2026-27

PSYCHOLOGY Subject Code – 037 Class XI (2026-27)

Psychology is introduced as an elective subject at the higher secondary level in school education. As a field, Psychology focuses on understanding human experiences, behaviors, and mental processes within a specific social, cultural, and historical context. This course aims to create interest and familiarize students with fundamental concepts, theories, and methods in Psychology.

The course encourages students to analyze behavior and mental processes. Students will learn to evaluate evidence and challenge assumptions, thereby developing critical thinking skills that are valuable in any field of study or career.

The course emphasizes the role of socio-cultural factors in behavior, helping students appreciate diversity and sensitivity that prepares them to be inclusive and empathetic global citizens.

It is recommended that teaching methods actively engage students, helping them develop their own understanding. To achieve this, the teaching learning processes should incorporate case studies, personal narratives, experiential exercises, and reflections on everyday experiences.

Objectives:

To help students understand the nature of psychological knowledge and its relevance to different aspects of life.

To encourage students to be observant, socially aware, and reflective.

• To reduce stigma and increase awareness of psychological well-being by educating students about mental health.

To help students understand their own thoughts, emotions and behaviors fostering personal growth and resilience, preparing them to become responsible global members of society.

COURSE STRUCTURE CLASS XI (2026-27) Theory Paper

Time: 3 Hours

Marks: 70

Units Topics Marks

Understanding Psychology 11

Ш Methods of Enquiry in Psychology 13

Ш Human Development 11

IV Sensory, Attentional and Perceptual 8

Processes V Learning 9

VI Human Memory 8

VII Thinking 5

VIII Motivation and Emotion 5

Total 70

COURSE STRUCTURE

Name of the Units Unit I Understanding Psychology The topics in this unit are:

1. Introduction
2. Nature of Psychology: Psychology as a Discipline Psychology as a Natural Science Psychology as a Social Science
3. Understanding Mind and Behaviour
4. Popular Notions about the Discipline of Psychology
5. Evolution of Psychology
6. Development of Psychology in India
7. Branches of Psychology
8. Psychology and Other Disciplines
9. Psychology in Everyday Life Unit II Methods of Enquiry in Psychology The topics in this unit are:
10. Introduction
11. Goals of Psychological Enquiry Steps in Conducting Scientific Research Alternative Paradigms of Research
12. Nature of Psychological Data

1. Some Important Methods in Psychology Observational Method Experimental Method Correlational Research Survey Research Psychological Testing

• Case Study

1. Analysis of Data Quantitative Method Qualitative Method
2. Limitations of Psychological Enquiry
3. Ethical Issues Unit III Human Development The topics in this unit are:
4. Introduction
5. Meaning of Development Life-Span Perspective on Development
6. Factors Influencing Development
7. Context of Development
8. Overview of Developmental Stages Prenatal Stage Infancy Childhood lacktrian Challenges of Adolescence Adulthood and Old Age Unit IV Sensory, Attentional and Perceptual Processes The topics in this unit are:
9. Introduction
10. Knowing the world
11. Nature and varieties of Stimulus
12. Sense Modalities Functional limitation of sense organs
13. Attentional Processes Selective Attention Sustained Attention
14. Perceptual Processes Processing Approaches in Perception
15. The Perceiver
16. Principles of Perceptual Organisation

1. Perception of Space, Depth and Distance Monocular Cues and Binocular Cues
2. Perceptual Constancies
3. Illusions
4. Socio-Cultural Influences on Perception Unit V Learning The topics in this unit are:
5. Introduction
6. Nature of Learning
7. Paradigms of Learning
8. Classical Conditioning Determinants of Classical Conditioning
9. Operant/Instrumental Conditioning Determinants of Operant Conditioning Key Learning Processes
10. Observational Learning
11. Cognitive Learning
12. Verbal Learning
13. Skill Learning
14. Factors Facilitating Learning
15. Learning Disabilities Unit VI Human Memory The topics in this unit are:
16. Introduction
17. Nature of memory

3. Information Processing Approach: The Stage Model

4. Memory Systems: Sensory, Short-term and Long-term Memories

1. Levels of Processing
2. Types of Long-term Memory

Declarative and Procedural; Episodic and Semantic

1. Nature and Causes of Forgetting

• Forgetting due to Trace Decay, Interference and Retrieval Failure

1. Enhancing Memory Mnemonics using Images and Organisation Unit VII Thinking The topics in this unit are:
2. Introduction
3. Nature of Thinking