NCERT Class 12 Psychology Psychology: Chapter 2 — Self and Personality
This chapter, "Self and Personality," from NCERT Class 12 Psychology, delves into the fundamental concepts of self and personality. It explains how these concepts help us understand our uniqueness and similarities with others, and how they influence our behaviour in diverse settings. The chapter introduces various theoretical perspectives on self and personality, including cognitive and behavioural aspects, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and self-regulation. It also explores different approaches to studying personality, such as type, trait, psychodynamic, behavioural, cultural, and humanistic perspectives. Furthermore, the text outlines methods for personality assessment, including self-report measures, projective techniques, and behavioural analysis. Understanding these concepts is crucial for comprehending individual differences and developing a healthy personality, aligning with the CBSE curriculum's focus on psychological development.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 12 |
| Subject | Psychology |
| Book | Psychology |
| Chapter | Chapter 2 — Self and Personality |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 3 minutes |
| Word count | 518 |
Learning outcomes
- Describe the concept of self and methods for self-regulation.
- Explain the concept of personality.
- Differentiate between various approaches to personality study.
- Gain insight into the development of a healthy personality.
- Describe techniques for personality assessment.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Self-regulation | The ability to control one's emotions, behaviours, and desires in the pursuit of long-term goals. |
| Self-esteem | An individual's subjective evaluation of their own worth. |
| Self-efficacy | A person's belief in their ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a task. |
| Personality | A relatively stable pattern of behaviour that characterizes an individual. |
| Psychodynamic Approach | A theoretical perspective that emphasizes the role of unconscious drives and early childhood experiences in shaping personality. |
| Trait Approach | A theoretical perspective that focuses on identifying, describing, and measuring stable personality characteristics. |
| Self-report Measures | Assessment techniques where individuals provide information about themselves, typically through questionnaires or interviews. |
| Projective Techniques | Assessment methods that involve presenting ambiguous stimuli to individuals and asking them to interpret them, revealing unconscious aspects of personality. |
| Behavioural Analysis | Observing and assessing an individual's behaviour in specific situations to understand personality. |
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Practice questions
- What is the difference between self and personality? Answer: Self refers to the ideas a person holds about themselves, while personality refers to a relatively stable pattern of behaviour that characterizes an individual.
- List two cognitive aspects of self. Answer: Self-esteem and self-efficacy are two cognitive aspects of self.
- Name one major approach to the study of personality. Answer: One major approach is the Trait Approach.
- What is the purpose of personality assessment? Answer: Personality assessment aims to understand an individual's unique characteristics and patterns of behaviour.
Practice MCQs
Q1. Which concept refers to an individual's subjective evaluation of their own worth?
Explanation: Self-esteem is the term used to describe an individual's overall sense of their own value or worth.
Q2. The ability to control one's emotions and behaviour is known as:
Explanation: Self-regulation involves the capacity to manage one's impulses, emotions, and behaviours to achieve goals.
Q3. Which approach to personality focuses on identifying stable characteristics?
Explanation: The Trait Approach is concerned with identifying, describing, and measuring stable personality characteristics or traits.
Q4. Projective techniques are a type of:
Explanation: Projective techniques, like the Rorschach inkblot test, are methods used in personality assessment to reveal unconscious aspects.
Q5. The 'Five-Factor Model' is an example of which personality approach?
Explanation: The Five-Factor Model (e.g., OCEAN) is a prominent example within the Trait Approach to personality.
Frequently asked questions
What is the core idea of the 'Self' in psychology?
The 'Self' in psychology refers to the ideas and perceptions an individual holds about themselves, encompassing their sense of identity and worth.
How does personality differ from self?
While 'self' relates to one's self-perception, 'personality' refers to the characteristic and relatively stable patterns of behaviour that define an individual.
What are some key aspects of the 'Self' discussed in the chapter?
Key aspects include cognitive and behavioural elements, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and self-regulation.
Name two major theoretical approaches to studying personality.
Two major approaches are the Psychodynamic Approach and the Trait Approach.
What are the main methods for assessing personality?
The main methods include self-report measures, projective techniques, and behavioural analysis.
What does the 'Five-Factor Model' represent in personality study?
The Five-Factor Model is a widely accepted framework within the Trait Approach, identifying five broad dimensions of personality.
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NCERT Class 12 Psychology — Psychology — Chapter 2 — Self and Personality. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.