Class 12 Psychology - KERALA
Psychological Disorders
The chapter 'Psychological Disorders' in Class 12 Psychology under the Kerala SCERT syllabus explores the nature of abnormal behavior, historical perspectives, and major classification systems like the DSM and ICD. Students learn about various psychological disorders, including anxiety disorders, somatoform disorders, dissociative disorders, mood disorders, schizophrenia, and neurodevelopmental disorders. It also covers the biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors contributing to these conditions. Understanding this chapter is crucial for board exams as it forms a major scoring section with both objective and descriptive questions, helping students develop empathy and scientific understanding of mental health.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Abnormal Behavior
Behavior that is deviant, distressful, dysfunctional, and dangerous, often evaluated using the '4 Ds' of abnormality.
DSM and ICD
Standardized classification systems used by mental health professionals to diagnose and categorize psychological disorders based on specific criteria.
Anxiety Disorders
Disorders characterized by persistent, excessive fear and anxiety, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and phobias.
Mood Disorders
Disturbances in emotion and mood, such as major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, affecting overall energy and functioning.
Schizophrenia
A severe psychotic disorder characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking, and inappropriate emotional expression.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Kerala SCERT Class 12 Psychology board examination, this chapter typically carries around 10-15 marks. Questions frequently include short answers defining key disorders, differentiation-based questions (e.g., DSM vs. ICD, unipolar vs. bipolar), and essay-type questions explaining the causes and symptoms of schizophrenia or anxiety disorders.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between DSM and ICD?
The DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) is published by the American Psychiatric Association mainly for clinical diagnosis, while the ICD (International Classification of Diseases) is published by the World Health Organization and covers all global health conditions, including mental disorders.
Are anxiety and fear the same thing?
No. Fear is an emotional response to a real, known, and present threat, whereas anxiety is an anticipation of a future, vague, or perceived threat.
What causes psychological disorders?
Psychological disorders are caused by a combination of biological (genetics, brain chemistry), psychological (stress, trauma, faulty thinking), and sociocultural (family pressure, poverty, cultural norms) factors.
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