CBSE Class 11 Physical Education Chapter 10: Psychology and Sports NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 11 PDF

This chapter, "Psychology and Sports," delves into the crucial intersection of psychological principles and athletic performance for Class 11 Physical Education students. It provides clear definitions and explanations for fundamental concepts such as psychology itself, sports psychology, and the distinct processes of growth and development. The solutions cover the characteristics of different life stages, including infancy and adolescence, highlighting the unique challenges and opportunities present in each. Furthermore, the chapter explores the concept of learning, its various laws, and the significant impact of the transfer of learning, both positive and negative, on skill acquisition in sports. These NCERT Solutions are designed to offer students a thorough understanding of these topics, aiding in their preparation for examinations by clarifying complex ideas and providing structured answers.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 11
Subject	Physical Education
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Chapter 10

Chapter summary

Chapter 10, "Psychology and Sports," focuses on foundational psychological concepts relevant to physical education. It defines key terms like psychology, sports psychology, growth, development, and learning. The solutions explain the characteristics of different age groups, specifically infancy and adolescence, and discuss the types of physical activities suitable for each. It also covers the laws of learning and the phenomenon of transfer of learning, including its positive and negative aspects, providing a solid understanding of how psychological factors influence sports performance.

Learning outcomes

Understand the definition and scope of Psychology and Sports Psychology.
Differentiate between Growth and Development.
Identify the characteristics and suitable physical activities for Infancy and Adolescence.
Define Learning and its associated laws.
Explain the concept of Transfer of Learning and its types.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Psychology
Sports Psychology
Growth
Development
Infancy
Adolescence
Learning
Laws of Learning
Transfer of Learning
Positive Transfer
Negative Transfer

Important topics

Definition of Sports Psychology
Difference between Growth and Development
Characteristics of Adolescence
Laws of Learning
Positive and Negative Transfer of Learning

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Questions and Solutions

Q1

Give the definition of Psychology.

Solution: Psychology is defined as the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. It seeks to understand why individuals think, feel, and act in certain ways, using systematic methods of observation and experimentation.

Q2

What do you understand by the term Sports Psychology?

Solution: Sports Psychology is a specialized field that applies psychological principles and techniques to enhance athletic performance, promote well-being among athletes, and understand the impact of sports participation on psychological development. It covers areas like motivation, anxiety, team dynamics, and skill acquisition in sports contexts.

Q3

Define the terms Growth and Development.

Solution: Growth refers to the physical changes in an individual's body, such as increases in size, height, and weight. Development, on the other hand, is a broader concept encompassing the progressive series of changes in an orderly and coherent pattern, including physical, cognitive, emotional, and social maturation.

Q4

Define Adolescence.

Solution: Adolescence is the transitional phase of human development between childhood and adulthood. It is often characterized by significant physical, psychological, and social changes, sometimes referred to as a period of 'storm and strife' due to the intensity of these transformations.

Q5

Which type of physical activities can be played in early childhood?

Solution: During early childhood, physical activities should not be overly strenuous as physical capacities are still developing. Simple fundamental movements and basic skills of various games and sports should be introduced in a playful and engaging manner.

Q6

Which type of physical activities can be played during adolescence?

Solution: Adolescence is a period where individuals can engage in a wide range of physical activities. This includes team sports (like basketball, football), individual sports (like tennis, athletics), gymnastics, swimming, and dance, catering to developing physical and social skills.

Q7

What do you understand by learning?

Solution: Learning, in a broad sense, is the process of acquiring new knowledge, skills, behaviors, values, or preferences. It involves the organization of behavior in response to the demands of a task or environment, leading to relatively permanent changes.

Q8

Mention two laws of learning.

Solution: Two fundamental categories of laws of learning are:

Primary Laws of Learning: These are considered more important and include the Law of Effect, Law of Readiness, and Law of Exercise.
Secondary Laws of Learning: These are subsidiary to the primary laws and include laws like the Law of Multiple Response, Law of Attitude, Law of Partial Activity, Law of Analogy, and Law of Associative Shifting.

Q9

Define Transfer of learning.

Solution: Transfer of learning occurs when the knowledge or skills acquired in one situation influence the learning or performance in a different situation. It describes how previous learning can either help or hinder the acquisition of new skills.

Q10

What is positive transfer of learning?

Solution: Positive transfer of learning happens when previous learning or training enhances the ability to learn or perform a new skill. For example, learning to ride a bicycle might positively transfer to learning to ride a motorcycle, making it easier.

Q11

What is negative transfer of learning?

Solution: Negative transfer of learning occurs when previous learning makes it more difficult to learn or perform a new skill. This can happen if the old skill interferes with the new one, for example, trying to learn a sport with opposite movements to one already mastered.

Q14

Write a note on Infancy.

Solution: Infancy is the earliest stage of human development, typically from birth to about two years of age. During this period, rapid physical growth and development occur, with significant gains in height and weight. Cognitive development also begins, laying the foundation for future learning and interaction with the environment.

Q15

Enlist the problems of adolescence.

Solution: Adolescence can present several challenges for individuals. Common problems include:

Aggressive and violent behavior
Physical changes and related concerns
Difficulty in concentration
Increased attraction towards the opposite sex
Emotional instability and mood swings

Common mistakes

Confusing Growth with Development.
Not clearly distinguishing between Infancy and Adolescence characteristics.
Misunderstanding the application of the Laws of Learning.
Failing to differentiate between positive and negative transfer of learning.

Revision tips

Focus on understanding the core definitions of psychology, sports psychology, growth, and development.
Create a table to compare the characteristics and suitable activities for Infancy and Adolescence.
Memorize the primary and secondary laws of learning.
Practice explaining positive and negative transfer of learning with sports examples.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What is the primary focus of Sports Psychology?

Q2. Which term refers to the progressive series of changes in an orderly pattern?

Q3. Adolescence is often described as a period of:

Q4. When learning a new skill makes learning another skill easier, it is called:

Q5. Which of the following is NOT listed as a problem of adolescence in the text?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main subject of Chapter 10 for Class 11 Physical Education?

Chapter 10 focuses on 'Psychology and Sports,' exploring how psychological principles relate to sports performance and development.

What are the key concepts defined in these NCERT Solutions?

The solutions define Psychology, Sports Psychology, Growth, Development, Infancy, Adolescence, Learning, and Transfer of Learning.

How do these solutions help in understanding adolescence?

They define adolescence and list common problems faced during this stage, such as aggressive behavior and lack of concentration.

What is the difference between positive and negative transfer of learning?

Positive transfer occurs when previous learning helps in a new situation, while negative transfer occurs when it hinders it.

Are the laws of learning explained in these solutions?

Yes, the solutions mention the primary and secondary laws of learning as fundamental concepts.

How can these solutions be used for exam revision?

They provide clear, concise answers to potential exam questions, helping students revise key definitions, concepts, and their applications in sports.

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