CBSE Class 12 Psychology Syllabus 2026-27

PSYCHOLOGY Subject Code – 037 Class-XII (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 XII (2026-2027) Theory Paper

Marks: 70

Time: 3 Hours

Units Topics Marks

Variations in Psychological Attributes 13

Ш Self and Personality 13

Ш Meeting Life Challenges 9

IV Psychological Disorders 12

V Therapeutic Approaches 9

V١ Attitude and Social Cognition 8

VII Social Influence and Group Processes 6

Total 70

COURSE CONTENT

Unit I Variations in Psychological Attributes The topics in this unit are:

1. Introduction
2. Individual Differences in Human Functioning
3. Assessment of Psychological Attributes
4. Intelligence
5. Psychometric Theories of Intelligence, Information Processing Theory: Planning, Attention-arousal and Simultaneous successive Model of Intelligence, Triarchic Theory of Intelligence; Theory of Multiple Intelligences.
6. Individual Differences in Intelligence
7. Culture and Intelligence
8. Emotional Intelligence
9. Special Abilities: Aptitude: Nature and Measurement
10. Creativity Unit II Self and Personality The topics in this unit are:
11. Introduction
12. Self and Personality
13. Concept of Self
14. Cognitive and Behavioural aspects of Self
15. Culture and Self
16. Concept of Personality
17. Major Approaches to the Study of Personality

Type Approaches Trait Approaches

Psychodynamic Approach and Post Freudian Approaches

Behavioural Approach Cultural Approach Humanistic Approach

1. Assessment of Personality Self-report Measures Projective Techniques Behavioural Analysis Unit III Meeting Life Challenges The topics in this unit are: Introduction
2. Nature, Types and Sources of Stress

3. Effects of Stress on Psychological Functioning and Health

Stress and Health General Adaptation Syndrome Stress and Immune System Lifestyle

1. Coping with Stress Stress Management Techniques
2. Promoting Positive Health and Well-being Life Skills Positive Health Unit IV Psychological Disorders The topics in this unit are: Introduction
3. Concepts of Abnormality and Psychological Disorders Historical Background
4. Classification of Psychological Disorders
5. Factors Underlying Abnormal Behaviour
6. Major Psychological Disorders Anxiety Disorders

Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders

Trauma-and Stressor-Related Disorders Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders Dissociative Disorders Depressive Disorder Bipolar and Related Disorders

Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Disruptive, Impulse-Control and Conduct Disorders

Feeding and Eating Disorders Substance Related and Addictive Disorders Unit V Therapeutic Approaches The topics in this unit are:

1. Nature and Process of psychotherapy Therapeutic relationship
2. Types of Therapies Behaviour Therapy Cognitive Therapy Humanistic-Existential Therapy Alternative Therapies

Factors contributing to healing in Psychotherapy

Ethics in Psychotherapy

1. Rehabilitation of the Mentally III Unit VI Attitude and Social Cognition The topics in this unit are: Introduction
2. Explaining Social Behaviour
3. Nature and Components of Attitudes
4. Attitude Formation and Change Attitude Formation Attitude Change

• Attitude-Behaviour Relationship

1. Prejudice and Discrimination
2. Strategies for Handling Prejudice Unit Social Influence and Group Processes VII The topics in this unit are:
3. Introduction
4. Nature and Formation of Groups
5. Type of Groups
6. Influence of Group on Individual Behaviour Social Loafing Group Polarisation