Home › Free notes › Class 12 Psychology › Variations in Psychological Attributes

Variations in Psychological Attributes – Class 12 Psychology notes, important questions and MCQs

NCERT Class 12 Psychology, chapter 1. Notes, key terms, important questions with answers and MCQs.

Chapter overview

People differ from one another in psychological attributes such as intelligence, aptitude, interest, personality and values. Psychologists assess these attributes using tests, interviews, case studies and observation. Intelligence has been explained by many theories, from a single general factor to multiple intelligences, and Indian culture views intelligence in a broader, integral way. Variations in intelligence range from intellectual disability to giftedness, and creativity is related to but different from intelligence.

Assessment and theories of intelligence

Psychological attributes include intelligence, aptitude (potential to acquire skills), interest, personality and values; assessment uses psychological tests, interviews, case studies, observation and self-reports.
Alfred Binet and Theodore Simon made the first intelligence test (1905); IQ = Mental Age ÷ Chronological Age × 100 (William Stern); IQ scores follow a normal distribution with a mean of 100.
Theories: Spearman's two-factor theory (g and s), Thurstone's primary mental abilities, Guilford's structure-of-intellect, Howard Gardner's multiple intelligences (linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, musical, bodily-kinaesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, naturalistic), Sternberg's triarchic theory (componential, experiential, contextual) and the PASS model (J. P. Das: planning, attention-arousal, simultaneous and successive processing).

Variations, culture and creativity

IQ below about 70 with limitations in adaptive behaviour indicates intellectual disability (mild, moderate, severe, profound); IQ above about 130 is often called gifted.
Culture shapes intelligence: technological cultures value abstract reasoning, while the Indian idea of 'buddhi' includes cognitive, social, emotional and entrepreneurial competence; emotional intelligence (Salovey and Mayer; Goleman) is the ability to understand and manage emotions.
Creativity involves producing novel and appropriate ideas; a minimum level of intelligence is needed for creativity, but high intelligence does not guarantee it. Tests may be verbal or non-verbal, individual or group, speed or power, and culture-fair.

Key terms

Intelligence: the global capacity to understand the world, think rationally and use resources effectively
Intelligence quotient: mental age divided by chronological age, multiplied by 100
Aptitude: a person's potential to acquire skills with training
Emotional intelligence: the ability to perceive, understand and manage emotions
Multiple intelligences: Gardner's theory of several independent types of intelligence

Important questions with answers

What is emotional intelligence?2 marks

Emotional intelligence is the ability to perceive, understand, use and manage one's own emotions and those of others. The idea was given by Salovey and Mayer and popularised by Daniel Goleman; it helps in relationships and adjustment.

Explain the Indian view of intelligence.3 marks

The Indian view of intelligence, often called 'buddhi', is integral and broader than the Western cognitive view. It includes cognitive capacity, social competence, emotional competence and entrepreneurial competence, emphasising connection with the social and natural environment, self-reflection and wisdom.

Describe Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences.5 marks

Howard Gardner proposed that intelligence is not a single general ability but consists of several distinct and relatively independent types, each valued in different cultures. Linguistic intelligence is the ability to use language fluently and flexibly, as seen in poets and writers. Logical-mathematical intelligence involves logical reasoning and solving mathematical problems, as in scientists. Spatial intelligence is the ability to form mental images and use spatial relationships, as in architects and pilots. Musical intelligence is sensitivity to pitch, rhythm and melody, as in musicians. Bodily-kinaesthetic intelligence is the skilled use of the body for movement or handling objects, as in dancers and athletes. Interpersonal intelligence is the ability to understand others' feelings and motives and relate to them, as in counsellors and leaders. Intrapersonal intelligence is knowledge of one's own feelings, strengths and weaknesses. Naturalistic intelligence is sensitivity to the natural world, recognising plants, animals and patterns in nature, as in hunters, farmers and botanists. Gardner's theory widened the idea of intelligence beyond IQ tests and encouraged schools to recognise diverse talents. It has been criticised because some 'intelligences' may be talents or skills, and because it is difficult to measure them separately.

Quick revision

Psychological attributes and assessment methods.
Binet, IQ formula, normal distribution.
Theories: Spearman to PASS.
Intellectual disability, giftedness, culture, EI, creativity.

Exam tips

Practise IQ calculation: MA 12, CA 10 gives IQ 120.
Learn Gardner's eight intelligences with one example each.

Practice MCQs

The first intelligence test was developed by
1. Binet and Simon
2. Spearman
3. Gardner
4. Sternberg
Show answer
Answer: (a) Binet and Simon. It appeared in 1905.
A person's potential to acquire skills with training is called
1. interest
2. achievement
3. value
4. aptitude
Show answer
Answer: (d) aptitude. Aptitude tests predict future performance.
The average IQ score in the population is
1. 50
2. 100
3. 130
4. 150
Show answer
Answer: (b) 100. Scores follow a normal curve.
If a child's mental age is 12 and chronological age is 10, the IQ is
1. 83
2. 100
3. 120
4. 140
Show answer
Answer: (c) 120. 12 ÷ 10 × 100.
The theory of multiple intelligences was given by
1. Spearman
2. Binet
3. Thurstone
4. Howard Gardner
Show answer
Answer: (d) Howard Gardner. He named eight intelligences.
The PASS model of intelligence was developed by
1. Robert Sternberg
2. Guilford
3. J. P. Das and colleagues
4. Goleman
Show answer
Answer: (c) J. P. Das and colleagues. It stands for planning, attention-arousal and simultaneous-successive processing.
Sternberg's contextual intelligence refers to
1. the ability to adapt to, shape or select one's environment
2. memory for facts
3. musical ability
4. speed of reaction
Show answer
Answer: (a) the ability to adapt to, shape or select one's environment. It is practical 'street smart' intelligence.
Which statement about intelligence and creativity is most accurate
1. they are identical
2. creativity cannot be measured at all
3. creative people always have low IQ
4. some intelligence is needed for creativity, but high intelligence does not ensure creativity
Show answer
Answer: (d) some intelligence is needed for creativity, but high intelligence does not ensure creativity. The relationship is limited.

All chapters of Class 12 Psychology

Written by Kundali IQ from standard, well-established facts to help with revision. This is not an official NCERT publication; always read your textbook too.