Class 12 Psychology - CBSE
Therapeutic Approaches
The chapter 'Therapeutic Approaches' in CBSE Class 12 Psychology explores how psychological disorders are treated through various forms of psychotherapy and biomedical interventions. It introduces students to the therapeutic relationship and different theoretical models, including psychodynamic, behaviour, humanistic-existential, and cognitive therapies. Understanding these approaches is crucial for board exams as it bridges the gap between theoretical psychopathology and practical application. Students frequently encounter case studies and direct differentiation questions from this chapter, making a firm grasp of the therapeutic techniques and their underlying assumptions vital for scoring high in the CBSE examination.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Psychotherapy
A voluntary relationship between a trained professional and a person suffering from psychological problems, aimed at removing maladaptive behaviours and fostering personal growth.
Transference
A psychodynamic concept where the client shifts feelings associated with significant figures in their past, such as parents, onto the therapist.
Systematic Desensitisation
A behaviour therapy technique based on classical conditioning, used to reduce anxiety by combining deep relaxation with gradual exposure to feared stimuli.
Client-Centred Therapy
A humanistic approach developed by Carl Rogers that provides a warm, empathetic, and accepting atmosphere to help clients discover their own self-actualisation.
Cognitive Restructuring
A technique used in cognitive therapies (like Beck's CBT) to identify and replace irrational, negative core beliefs with rational, adaptive thoughts.
Biomedical Therapy
Medical treatments for psychological disorders, such as prescription drugs (psychotropics) and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), aimed at correcting biological imbalances.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the CBSE Class 12 Psychology board exam, this chapter typically carries around 6 to 8 marks. Questions often include 1-mark objective questions, 2-mark or 4-mark short answers (such as differentiating between therapies or explaining specific techniques like token economy), and occasionally a 6-mark case-based application question.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between psychotherapy and biomedical therapy?
Psychotherapy relies on psychological techniques and verbal communication between a therapist and client to change thoughts and behaviour, whereas biomedical therapy uses physical interventions like medicines and ECT to alter brain functioning.
How does systematic desensitisation work?
It uses reciprocal inhibition. The therapist teaches the client muscle relaxation, creates an anxiety hierarchy from least to most feared situation, and has the client imagine these steps while remaining relaxed until the anxiety disappears.
What is the role of the therapeutic alliance?
The therapeutic alliance is the special trusting and respectful relationship between the therapist and client, which serves as the foundation for successful healing and positive therapeutic outcomes.
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