Class 12 Psychology: CBSE Sample Question Papers (2023-24) | CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 Humanities - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

 Page 1


1 | P a g e 
 
PSYCHOLOGY (037) 
CLASS- XII 
SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER 2023-2024 
Time – 3 Hours                                                                                   Maximum Marks – 70 
General instructions 
? All questions are compulsory except where internal choice has been given. 
? Question Nos. 1 -15 in Section A carry 1 mark each. You are expected to answer them as 
directed. 
? Question Nos. 16-21 in Section B are very short answer type-I questions carrying 2 marks 
each. Answer to each question should not exceed 30 words. 
? Question Nos. 22-24 in Section C are short answer type-II questions carrying 3 marks each. 
Answer to each question should not exceed 60 words. 
? Question Nos. 25 - 28 in Section D are long answer type - I questions carrying 4 marks 
each. Answer to each question should not exceed 120 words. 
? Question Nos. 29-30 in Section E are long answer type - II questions carrying 6 marks 
each. Answer to each question should not exceed 200 words. 
? Question Nos. 31 – 34 in Section F are based on two cases given.  Answer to each 1 mark 
question should not exceed 20 words. Answer to each 2 marks question should not exceed 
30 words. 
SECTION A 
1 Monika has to be assessed for her abilities of creativity and original thinking. 
The test to be used by the psychologist will involve: 
a. Convergent thinking 
b. Divergent thinking 
c. Both convergent and divergent thinking 
d. Memory and logical thinking 
1 
2 Formal assessment is objective, standardised and organised. Based on this 
information, choose the statements which are true for formal assessment. 
i. Formal assessment uses systematic testing procedures. 
ii. It is always open to subjective interpretations. 
iii. Based on the assessment, predictions about behaviour can be made. 
iv. It varies from case to case and from one assessor to another. 
a. ii and iii 
b. i and ii 
c. i and iii 
d. ii and iv 
1 
Page 2


1 | P a g e 
 
PSYCHOLOGY (037) 
CLASS- XII 
SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER 2023-2024 
Time – 3 Hours                                                                                   Maximum Marks – 70 
General instructions 
? All questions are compulsory except where internal choice has been given. 
? Question Nos. 1 -15 in Section A carry 1 mark each. You are expected to answer them as 
directed. 
? Question Nos. 16-21 in Section B are very short answer type-I questions carrying 2 marks 
each. Answer to each question should not exceed 30 words. 
? Question Nos. 22-24 in Section C are short answer type-II questions carrying 3 marks each. 
Answer to each question should not exceed 60 words. 
? Question Nos. 25 - 28 in Section D are long answer type - I questions carrying 4 marks 
each. Answer to each question should not exceed 120 words. 
? Question Nos. 29-30 in Section E are long answer type - II questions carrying 6 marks 
each. Answer to each question should not exceed 200 words. 
? Question Nos. 31 – 34 in Section F are based on two cases given.  Answer to each 1 mark 
question should not exceed 20 words. Answer to each 2 marks question should not exceed 
30 words. 
SECTION A 
1 Monika has to be assessed for her abilities of creativity and original thinking. 
The test to be used by the psychologist will involve: 
a. Convergent thinking 
b. Divergent thinking 
c. Both convergent and divergent thinking 
d. Memory and logical thinking 
1 
2 Formal assessment is objective, standardised and organised. Based on this 
information, choose the statements which are true for formal assessment. 
i. Formal assessment uses systematic testing procedures. 
ii. It is always open to subjective interpretations. 
iii. Based on the assessment, predictions about behaviour can be made. 
iv. It varies from case to case and from one assessor to another. 
a. ii and iii 
b. i and ii 
c. i and iii 
d. ii and iv 
1 
2 | P a g e 
 
3 Aanya's application for admission to the college of her choice got rejected. 
When talking about the admission to the college with others, she tells everyone 
that she was never interested in studying in that college. Identify the defence 
mechanism used by Aanya. 
a.   Repression 
b.   Reaction formation 
c.   Denial 
d.   Rationalisation 
1 
4 ___________ is a dynamic situation-specific reaction to stress.  
a. Positive reaction 
b. Coping 
c. Conflict resolution 
d. Meditation 
1 
5 Ritik uses imagery and imagination to reduce his stress levels. 
 Identify the technique being used by Ritik. 
a. Relaxed visualisation 
b. Meditation 
c. Creative visualisation 
d. Imagination and relaxation  
1 
6 In the question given below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) 
and Reason (R). Read the statements and choose the correct option. 
  
Assertion (A): Psychological stress is the stress that we generate ourselves in 
our minds. 
Reason (R): These psychological stresses do not have any impact on our 
physiological being. 
 Options: 
a.    Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. 
b.   Both A and R are true and R is not the correct explanation of A. 
c.    A is true but R is false. 
d.   A is false but R is true 
1 
7 While passing through the streets on her way to the office everyday, Jaya feels 
people are spying on her and the police are chasing her. Identify the type of 
delusion Jaya is experiencing.  
a. Persecution 
b. Control 
c. Reference 
d. Grandeur 
1 
Page 3


1 | P a g e 
 
PSYCHOLOGY (037) 
CLASS- XII 
SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER 2023-2024 
Time – 3 Hours                                                                                   Maximum Marks – 70 
General instructions 
? All questions are compulsory except where internal choice has been given. 
? Question Nos. 1 -15 in Section A carry 1 mark each. You are expected to answer them as 
directed. 
? Question Nos. 16-21 in Section B are very short answer type-I questions carrying 2 marks 
each. Answer to each question should not exceed 30 words. 
? Question Nos. 22-24 in Section C are short answer type-II questions carrying 3 marks each. 
Answer to each question should not exceed 60 words. 
? Question Nos. 25 - 28 in Section D are long answer type - I questions carrying 4 marks 
each. Answer to each question should not exceed 120 words. 
? Question Nos. 29-30 in Section E are long answer type - II questions carrying 6 marks 
each. Answer to each question should not exceed 200 words. 
? Question Nos. 31 – 34 in Section F are based on two cases given.  Answer to each 1 mark 
question should not exceed 20 words. Answer to each 2 marks question should not exceed 
30 words. 
SECTION A 
1 Monika has to be assessed for her abilities of creativity and original thinking. 
The test to be used by the psychologist will involve: 
a. Convergent thinking 
b. Divergent thinking 
c. Both convergent and divergent thinking 
d. Memory and logical thinking 
1 
2 Formal assessment is objective, standardised and organised. Based on this 
information, choose the statements which are true for formal assessment. 
i. Formal assessment uses systematic testing procedures. 
ii. It is always open to subjective interpretations. 
iii. Based on the assessment, predictions about behaviour can be made. 
iv. It varies from case to case and from one assessor to another. 
a. ii and iii 
b. i and ii 
c. i and iii 
d. ii and iv 
1 
2 | P a g e 
 
3 Aanya's application for admission to the college of her choice got rejected. 
When talking about the admission to the college with others, she tells everyone 
that she was never interested in studying in that college. Identify the defence 
mechanism used by Aanya. 
a.   Repression 
b.   Reaction formation 
c.   Denial 
d.   Rationalisation 
1 
4 ___________ is a dynamic situation-specific reaction to stress.  
a. Positive reaction 
b. Coping 
c. Conflict resolution 
d. Meditation 
1 
5 Ritik uses imagery and imagination to reduce his stress levels. 
 Identify the technique being used by Ritik. 
a. Relaxed visualisation 
b. Meditation 
c. Creative visualisation 
d. Imagination and relaxation  
1 
6 In the question given below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) 
and Reason (R). Read the statements and choose the correct option. 
  
Assertion (A): Psychological stress is the stress that we generate ourselves in 
our minds. 
Reason (R): These psychological stresses do not have any impact on our 
physiological being. 
 Options: 
a.    Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. 
b.   Both A and R are true and R is not the correct explanation of A. 
c.    A is true but R is false. 
d.   A is false but R is true 
1 
7 While passing through the streets on her way to the office everyday, Jaya feels 
people are spying on her and the police are chasing her. Identify the type of 
delusion Jaya is experiencing.  
a. Persecution 
b. Control 
c. Reference 
d. Grandeur 
1 
3 | P a g e 
 
8 Sonali spends hours reading about her favourite actor. She is preoccupied with 
thinking and researching about him and when asked to study she gets violent. 
To diagnose her disorder, a clinical psychologist would need to know  
a. The number of hours she spends studying about the actor each day. 
b. The percentage of the population sharing her interest in the actor. 
c. Whether friends and family members share her interest in the actor. 
d. Whether she is dysfunctional and showing signs of distress. 
1 
9 Which of the following statements are true about the diathesis-stress model? 
  
i. A vulnerability factor and the presence of a pathogenic stressor results in 
psychological disorder. 
ii. The presence of biological aberration is enough to develop a psychological 
disorder. 
iii. The presence of only pathogenic stressors may lead to psychopathology. 
iv. The diathesis and the stressor lead to the development of a psychological 
disorder.  
a. i and ii 
b. ii and iii 
c. iii and iv 
d. i and iv 
1 
10 Harpreet’s mother ignores her when she throws tantrums if asked to keep her 
room tidy. However, she appreciates Harpreet when she arranges her toys after 
playtime. The method being used is known as 
a. Positive reinforcement 
b. Negative reinforcement 
c. Differential reinforcement 
d. Modelling 
1 
11 The centrality of an attitude reflects  
a. A person’s degree of negative or positive feelings about an object. 
b. Whether an attitude is positive or negative towards an attitude object. 
c. The extent to which an attitude would influence the other attitudes in 
the system. 
d. The attitude’s resistance to change. 
1 
Page 4


1 | P a g e 
 
PSYCHOLOGY (037) 
CLASS- XII 
SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER 2023-2024 
Time – 3 Hours                                                                                   Maximum Marks – 70 
General instructions 
? All questions are compulsory except where internal choice has been given. 
? Question Nos. 1 -15 in Section A carry 1 mark each. You are expected to answer them as 
directed. 
? Question Nos. 16-21 in Section B are very short answer type-I questions carrying 2 marks 
each. Answer to each question should not exceed 30 words. 
? Question Nos. 22-24 in Section C are short answer type-II questions carrying 3 marks each. 
Answer to each question should not exceed 60 words. 
? Question Nos. 25 - 28 in Section D are long answer type - I questions carrying 4 marks 
each. Answer to each question should not exceed 120 words. 
? Question Nos. 29-30 in Section E are long answer type - II questions carrying 6 marks 
each. Answer to each question should not exceed 200 words. 
? Question Nos. 31 – 34 in Section F are based on two cases given.  Answer to each 1 mark 
question should not exceed 20 words. Answer to each 2 marks question should not exceed 
30 words. 
SECTION A 
1 Monika has to be assessed for her abilities of creativity and original thinking. 
The test to be used by the psychologist will involve: 
a. Convergent thinking 
b. Divergent thinking 
c. Both convergent and divergent thinking 
d. Memory and logical thinking 
1 
2 Formal assessment is objective, standardised and organised. Based on this 
information, choose the statements which are true for formal assessment. 
i. Formal assessment uses systematic testing procedures. 
ii. It is always open to subjective interpretations. 
iii. Based on the assessment, predictions about behaviour can be made. 
iv. It varies from case to case and from one assessor to another. 
a. ii and iii 
b. i and ii 
c. i and iii 
d. ii and iv 
1 
2 | P a g e 
 
3 Aanya's application for admission to the college of her choice got rejected. 
When talking about the admission to the college with others, she tells everyone 
that she was never interested in studying in that college. Identify the defence 
mechanism used by Aanya. 
a.   Repression 
b.   Reaction formation 
c.   Denial 
d.   Rationalisation 
1 
4 ___________ is a dynamic situation-specific reaction to stress.  
a. Positive reaction 
b. Coping 
c. Conflict resolution 
d. Meditation 
1 
5 Ritik uses imagery and imagination to reduce his stress levels. 
 Identify the technique being used by Ritik. 
a. Relaxed visualisation 
b. Meditation 
c. Creative visualisation 
d. Imagination and relaxation  
1 
6 In the question given below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) 
and Reason (R). Read the statements and choose the correct option. 
  
Assertion (A): Psychological stress is the stress that we generate ourselves in 
our minds. 
Reason (R): These psychological stresses do not have any impact on our 
physiological being. 
 Options: 
a.    Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. 
b.   Both A and R are true and R is not the correct explanation of A. 
c.    A is true but R is false. 
d.   A is false but R is true 
1 
7 While passing through the streets on her way to the office everyday, Jaya feels 
people are spying on her and the police are chasing her. Identify the type of 
delusion Jaya is experiencing.  
a. Persecution 
b. Control 
c. Reference 
d. Grandeur 
1 
3 | P a g e 
 
8 Sonali spends hours reading about her favourite actor. She is preoccupied with 
thinking and researching about him and when asked to study she gets violent. 
To diagnose her disorder, a clinical psychologist would need to know  
a. The number of hours she spends studying about the actor each day. 
b. The percentage of the population sharing her interest in the actor. 
c. Whether friends and family members share her interest in the actor. 
d. Whether she is dysfunctional and showing signs of distress. 
1 
9 Which of the following statements are true about the diathesis-stress model? 
  
i. A vulnerability factor and the presence of a pathogenic stressor results in 
psychological disorder. 
ii. The presence of biological aberration is enough to develop a psychological 
disorder. 
iii. The presence of only pathogenic stressors may lead to psychopathology. 
iv. The diathesis and the stressor lead to the development of a psychological 
disorder.  
a. i and ii 
b. ii and iii 
c. iii and iv 
d. i and iv 
1 
10 Harpreet’s mother ignores her when she throws tantrums if asked to keep her 
room tidy. However, she appreciates Harpreet when she arranges her toys after 
playtime. The method being used is known as 
a. Positive reinforcement 
b. Negative reinforcement 
c. Differential reinforcement 
d. Modelling 
1 
11 The centrality of an attitude reflects  
a. A person’s degree of negative or positive feelings about an object. 
b. Whether an attitude is positive or negative towards an attitude object. 
c. The extent to which an attitude would influence the other attitudes in 
the system. 
d. The attitude’s resistance to change. 
1 
4 | P a g e 
 
12 Sachin believes that one should always speak the truth. This is an example of 
a. Belief 
b. Cognition 
c. Value 
d. Stereotype 
1 
13 In the question given below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) 
and Reason (R). Read the statements and choose the correct option. 
  
Assertion (A): According to balance theory, two elements of an attitude system 
must be in the same direction. 
Reason (R): An attitude system requires logical consistency else it will lead to 
‘mental discomfort’. 
 Options: 
a.    Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. 
b.   Both A and R are true and R is not the correct explanation of A. 
c.    A is true but R is false. 
d.   A is false but R is true 
1 
14 A collection of people  present at a place by chance is called a  
a. Team 
b. Audience 
c. Mob 
d. Crowd 
1 
15 Which of the following is not a feature of a formal group? 
a. Functions are stated explicitly and formally. 
b. Formation is based on rules and laws. 
c. There is a close relationship among members. 
d. Members have definite roles. 
1 
SECTION B 
16 How did Charles Spearman explain the concept of intelligence? 2 
 OR  
 State the importance of emotional intelligence.  
17 The phenomena of student-teacher interactions in a classroom can be easily 
studied by psychologists. Critically evaluate the assessment method that will be 
used here. 
2 
Page 5


1 | P a g e 
 
PSYCHOLOGY (037) 
CLASS- XII 
SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER 2023-2024 
Time – 3 Hours                                                                                   Maximum Marks – 70 
General instructions 
? All questions are compulsory except where internal choice has been given. 
? Question Nos. 1 -15 in Section A carry 1 mark each. You are expected to answer them as 
directed. 
? Question Nos. 16-21 in Section B are very short answer type-I questions carrying 2 marks 
each. Answer to each question should not exceed 30 words. 
? Question Nos. 22-24 in Section C are short answer type-II questions carrying 3 marks each. 
Answer to each question should not exceed 60 words. 
? Question Nos. 25 - 28 in Section D are long answer type - I questions carrying 4 marks 
each. Answer to each question should not exceed 120 words. 
? Question Nos. 29-30 in Section E are long answer type - II questions carrying 6 marks 
each. Answer to each question should not exceed 200 words. 
? Question Nos. 31 – 34 in Section F are based on two cases given.  Answer to each 1 mark 
question should not exceed 20 words. Answer to each 2 marks question should not exceed 
30 words. 
SECTION A 
1 Monika has to be assessed for her abilities of creativity and original thinking. 
The test to be used by the psychologist will involve: 
a. Convergent thinking 
b. Divergent thinking 
c. Both convergent and divergent thinking 
d. Memory and logical thinking 
1 
2 Formal assessment is objective, standardised and organised. Based on this 
information, choose the statements which are true for formal assessment. 
i. Formal assessment uses systematic testing procedures. 
ii. It is always open to subjective interpretations. 
iii. Based on the assessment, predictions about behaviour can be made. 
iv. It varies from case to case and from one assessor to another. 
a. ii and iii 
b. i and ii 
c. i and iii 
d. ii and iv 
1 
2 | P a g e 
 
3 Aanya's application for admission to the college of her choice got rejected. 
When talking about the admission to the college with others, she tells everyone 
that she was never interested in studying in that college. Identify the defence 
mechanism used by Aanya. 
a.   Repression 
b.   Reaction formation 
c.   Denial 
d.   Rationalisation 
1 
4 ___________ is a dynamic situation-specific reaction to stress.  
a. Positive reaction 
b. Coping 
c. Conflict resolution 
d. Meditation 
1 
5 Ritik uses imagery and imagination to reduce his stress levels. 
 Identify the technique being used by Ritik. 
a. Relaxed visualisation 
b. Meditation 
c. Creative visualisation 
d. Imagination and relaxation  
1 
6 In the question given below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) 
and Reason (R). Read the statements and choose the correct option. 
  
Assertion (A): Psychological stress is the stress that we generate ourselves in 
our minds. 
Reason (R): These psychological stresses do not have any impact on our 
physiological being. 
 Options: 
a.    Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. 
b.   Both A and R are true and R is not the correct explanation of A. 
c.    A is true but R is false. 
d.   A is false but R is true 
1 
7 While passing through the streets on her way to the office everyday, Jaya feels 
people are spying on her and the police are chasing her. Identify the type of 
delusion Jaya is experiencing.  
a. Persecution 
b. Control 
c. Reference 
d. Grandeur 
1 
3 | P a g e 
 
8 Sonali spends hours reading about her favourite actor. She is preoccupied with 
thinking and researching about him and when asked to study she gets violent. 
To diagnose her disorder, a clinical psychologist would need to know  
a. The number of hours she spends studying about the actor each day. 
b. The percentage of the population sharing her interest in the actor. 
c. Whether friends and family members share her interest in the actor. 
d. Whether she is dysfunctional and showing signs of distress. 
1 
9 Which of the following statements are true about the diathesis-stress model? 
  
i. A vulnerability factor and the presence of a pathogenic stressor results in 
psychological disorder. 
ii. The presence of biological aberration is enough to develop a psychological 
disorder. 
iii. The presence of only pathogenic stressors may lead to psychopathology. 
iv. The diathesis and the stressor lead to the development of a psychological 
disorder.  
a. i and ii 
b. ii and iii 
c. iii and iv 
d. i and iv 
1 
10 Harpreet’s mother ignores her when she throws tantrums if asked to keep her 
room tidy. However, she appreciates Harpreet when she arranges her toys after 
playtime. The method being used is known as 
a. Positive reinforcement 
b. Negative reinforcement 
c. Differential reinforcement 
d. Modelling 
1 
11 The centrality of an attitude reflects  
a. A person’s degree of negative or positive feelings about an object. 
b. Whether an attitude is positive or negative towards an attitude object. 
c. The extent to which an attitude would influence the other attitudes in 
the system. 
d. The attitude’s resistance to change. 
1 
4 | P a g e 
 
12 Sachin believes that one should always speak the truth. This is an example of 
a. Belief 
b. Cognition 
c. Value 
d. Stereotype 
1 
13 In the question given below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) 
and Reason (R). Read the statements and choose the correct option. 
  
Assertion (A): According to balance theory, two elements of an attitude system 
must be in the same direction. 
Reason (R): An attitude system requires logical consistency else it will lead to 
‘mental discomfort’. 
 Options: 
a.    Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. 
b.   Both A and R are true and R is not the correct explanation of A. 
c.    A is true but R is false. 
d.   A is false but R is true 
1 
14 A collection of people  present at a place by chance is called a  
a. Team 
b. Audience 
c. Mob 
d. Crowd 
1 
15 Which of the following is not a feature of a formal group? 
a. Functions are stated explicitly and formally. 
b. Formation is based on rules and laws. 
c. There is a close relationship among members. 
d. Members have definite roles. 
1 
SECTION B 
16 How did Charles Spearman explain the concept of intelligence? 2 
 OR  
 State the importance of emotional intelligence.  
17 The phenomena of student-teacher interactions in a classroom can be easily 
studied by psychologists. Critically evaluate the assessment method that will be 
used here. 
2 
5 | P a g e 
 
18 ‘Self-esteem shows a strong relationship with our everyday behaviour’.  
Justify this statement with the help of an example. 
2 
19 Ramesh is admitted to a rehabilitation centre for alcohol addiction. His 
treatment includes giving him a mild electric shock every time he is made to 
smell the alcohol. Name and describe the therapy being used. 
2 
20 Imagine the following situation:  
‘You auditioned for the school play but did not get selected’.  
Using Ellis’ framework, suggest two contrasting interpretations and their 
consequences. 
2 
21 Ivaan never paid heed to his mother's advice of doing physical exercise daily in 
the morning. But, one day when he saw his favourite cricketer advocating the 
importance of regular exercise, he started exercising daily. Identify the 
characteristics of the source that brought about the attitude change. 
2 
SECTION C 
22 Shamin is a spiritual leader who possesses a particular type of intelligence as 
explained by Howard Gardner. Identify the intelligence and give reasons for 
your answer. 
3 
 OR  
 Zarin is high in the ability to think analytically and performs well in academics. 
With respect to Robert Sternberg's theory, which type of intelligence does Zarin 
possess? Explain this type of intelligence. 
 
23 Describe Hans Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS). 3 
24 The classification of psychological disorders is important. 
Justify the statement and explain the two classification schemes. 
3 
SECTION D 
25 Kyna and kyra are identical twins. They were separated early in childhood. Will 
they show similarities in their intellectual characteristics? Give reasons for your 
answer. 
4 
26 Danish is trying to lose weight. During the festivities, he made sure not to eat 
his favourite desserts. Identify and explain the aspect of self that Danish is 
exhibiting. Suggest any three techniques he can apply to further achieve his 
goal. 
4 
27 Describe the importance of the therapeutic relationship in the process of 
psychotherapy. 
4