NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Psychology (Introduction to Psychology) Chapter 3 Human development

NCERT
SOLUTIONS
CLASS - 11th

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Book : Psychology Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 4 Psychology

Class : 11th
Subject : Psychology
Chapter : 4
Chapter Name : Human development

Q1 What is development? How is it different from growth and maturation?

Answer. The term development includes growth related to size, proposition, and features, which
may also include acquiring new features. The changes that occur have a particular direction in
which they continue. Growth is the enlargement of body parts, like increasing height or weight.

Maturation refers to growth and changes that is based on the genetic maps and an orderly
sequence.

Q2 Describe the main features of life-span perspective on development.

Answer. Development, in general terms, means increase in bodily growth. However, it doesn’t
mean only that, and implies to qualitative changes in one’s behaviour. Development is a lifelong
process, it never stops. Some aspects of a dimension increase while others decrease, hence,
development is said to he a multi dimensional process which goes on for the rest of an
individual’s life.
Different disciplines are very interested to understand the process of human development and
study it from their respective perspectives.

Q3 What are developmental tasks? Explain by giving examples.

Answer. A task that is actually related to a certain period of one’s life leads to happiness and
satisfaction upon its completion and achievement. Some of these tasks become important
because they become physically necessary for an individual to perform upon reaching maturity.
Others, as we know are as a result of the factors present in the environment in which one is
brought up. These can be cultural, socio-economic etc. Others, however, are a personal choice
to the individual. Developmental processes provide guidelines that serves various purposes of
telling the individual how to behave with society and among their peer groups.

Q4 ‘Environment of the child has a major role in the development of the child’. Support your
answer with examples.

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Book : Psychology Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 4 Psychology

Answer. The environment in which a child is brought up has a major influence in a child’s
development, especially on its various cognitive and motor skills that develop with age. The
socio-economic factors also have an influence on a child’s development. For example, a child
would be brought up differently if it’s parents are millionaires than it would be brought up in a
slum with little or no money.

Q5 How do socio-cultural factors influence development?

Answer. After the birth of an infant, the environment that s/he grows up in, exposes it to a
number of socio-cultural factors which have an influence on its motor and cognitive
development. The environment has different kinds of chemical energies, along with social forces
which are brought with interactions among people and the child. However, the same factors that
are present, may not have the same kind of influence on everything that is present in the same
environment. It also depends on the genetic makeup of the individual. For example, the
environment may develop certain interests and aptitude within the individual, but their capacity
to make that aptitude potent, would only develop on the genetic makeup and abilities of that
person.

Q6 Discuss the cognitive changes taking place in a developing child.

Answer. According to Piaget, there are four types of stages for cognitive development in a child.

Sensorimotor stage starts at approximately the age of 0-2 years. The world is being explored by
the infant at this stage. This happens by developing coordination between sensory and physical
actions.

At approximately the age of 2-7 years, a child’s mental world is extended by the development of
its symbolic thought processes. In this stage, especially, egocentrism (self-focus) develops,
where the main focus of any child is on itself.

Concrete operations help the child to expand its perspectives for any particular thing. This puts
the child to an advantage to appreciate the different views there might be to look at things,
especially concrete events.

Formal operational stage starts at approximately the age of 11-15 years. Imagination and logical
reasoning develop.

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Book : Psychology Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 4 Psychology

Q7 Attachment bonds formed in childhood years have long-term effects. Explain taking
examples from daily life. taking examples from daily life.

Answer. During the childhood period, attachments are formed between parents and children,
which have a lasting impact on the child’s life. The perspectives through which an adult sees the
world, is usually an aftermath of their upbringing as a child. In a nutshell, if the formative
relationship with the parents is of a healthy kind, the perspective is also very positive. On the
other hand, if the relationship is not stable and lacks communication, the child may have a very
negative and suspicious view of the world and his/her own life.

Q8 What is adolescence? Explain the concept of egocentrism.

Answer. When a former child reaches mental, emotional, physical and social maturity, s/he is
known to become an adolescent. The physical activity of the body and the mental activity of the
brain then changes at a very rapid pace. Obviously , the cultural and socio economic factors
that are present in the environment play a major role to influence this development. They crave
the search of their own identity and try to establish themselves as individuals. Also, at this
stage, adolescents develop egocentrism where they are self observed and refuse to accept
other’s perspective. A period where the adolescent imagines An audience also develops. All in
all, it is a period of uncertainty and stress.

Q9 What are the factors influencing the formation of identity during adolescence?

Answer. During the adolescent period, an adolescent perspective and social skills are actually
developed and influenced by their cultural background, family and societal values, ethnic
background and socioeconomic status. They develop the skills which systematically influence
and develop their behaviour and tells them how they should behave in certain situations and
with certain people. Different kind of interactions of the child with different factors within the
environment, serve and satisfy certain and many needs of the child. These all factors are
responsible for an identity formation of the child, for this, vocational commitment is necessary to
make the adolescent feel secure.

Q10 What are the challenges faced by individuals on entry to adulthood?

Answer. Adulthood can be best described as a transformation from dependency to being
independent in a certain sense. Adults are expected to be mature and responsible, to be able to

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Book : Psychology Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 4 Psychology

take charge of their own life, maybe start earning a living and be self sufficient and supportive,
and most importantly to be an effective member of the society. The main challenges of early
adulthood period are related to developing a stable life. Especially while entering into
relationships of marriage and becoming a parent. A lot of adjustments have to be made which
can be stressful, however, many factors come in, in order to influence these transformations.

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