NCERT Class 12 Psychology Psychology: Chapter 1 — Variations in Psychological Attributes
This chapter, "Variations in Psychological Attributes," from NCERT Class 12 Psychology, introduces the fundamental concept of individual differences in human functioning. It explores the nature of intelligence, its changing definitions, and how people vary in their intellectual competencies. The chapter delves into the assessment of psychological attributes, the concept of intelligence, its various theories, and individual differences in intelligence. It also touches upon special abilities like aptitude and creativity, and the importance of emotional intelligence. Understanding these variations is crucial for comprehending human behaviour and its assessment within the framework of modern psychology, aiding CBSE students in their study.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 12 |
| Subject | Psychology |
| Book | Psychology |
| Chapter | Chapter 1 — Variations in Psychological Attributes |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 3 minutes |
| Word count | 580 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand psychological attributes on which people differ.
- Learn about methods used to assess psychological attributes.
- Explain what constitutes intelligent behaviour.
- Understand how intelligence has different meanings in different cultures.
- Understand the difference between intelligence and aptitude.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Intelligence | The ability to understand complex ideas, adapt to the environment, learn from experience, engage in reasoning, and overcome obstacles. |
| Individual Differences | Distinctiveness and variations among people's characteristics and behaviour patterns. |
| Situationism | The view that situations and circumstances influence behaviour more than personal traits. |
| Aptitude | A special ability or talent for a particular skill or field. |
| Creativity | The ability to produce novel and useful ideas or solutions. |
| Emotional Intelligence | The ability to perceive, understand, manage, and use emotions. |
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Practice questions
- What is meant by individual differences in psychology? Answer: Individual differences refer to the distinctiveness and variations among people's characteristics and behaviour patterns.
- According to situationism, what influences behaviour? Answer: According to situationism, situations and circumstances in which one is placed influence behaviour.
- Name two psychological attributes mentioned in the chapter. Answer: Intelligence and aptitude are two psychological attributes mentioned.
Practice MCQs
Q1. Which of the following is a key concern of modern psychology mentioned in the chapter?
Explanation: The chapter highlights that a main concern of modern psychology has been the study of individual differences since the time of Galton.
Q2. The view that situations influence behaviour more than personal traits is known as:
Explanation: Situationism is the perspective that situations and circumstances significantly influence an individual's behaviour.
Q3. Which psychological attribute involves the ability to understand complex ideas and adapt to the environment?
Explanation: Intelligence is defined as the ability to understand complex ideas, adapt to the environment, learn from experience, and reason.
Q4. Variations in psychological attributes are a fact of:
Explanation: The chapter states that variability is a fact of nature, and individuals are no exception to this, varying in both physical and psychological dimensions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main focus of Chapter 1 of NCERT Class 12 Psychology?
Chapter 1 focuses on Variations in Psychological Attributes, introducing individual differences, intelligence, aptitude, and creativity.
What does 'individual differences' mean in psychology?
It refers to the distinctiveness and variations among people's characteristics and behaviour patterns.
What is intelligence according to the chapter?
Intelligence is described as the ability to understand complex ideas, adapt to the environment, learn from experience, reason, and overcome obstacles.
What is situationism?
Situationism is the view that situations and circumstances influence behaviour more than personal traits.
What are some special abilities discussed in the chapter?
The chapter discusses special abilities like aptitude and creativity.
What is the role of psychology in understanding individual differences?
Psychology studies how people differ, what causes these differences, and how such differences can be assessed.
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Topics covered
NCERT Class 12 Psychology — Psychology — Chapter 1 — Variations in Psychological Attributes. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.