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Class 11 Education Chapter 2 Stages of Human Development
Selected Questions & Answers
A. Very Short Answer Type Questions: (Marks for each – 1)
1. What is the full form of UNESCO?
Ans: UNESCO.
2. In which year was UNESCO established?
Ans: 1945.
3. What is the full form of NCERT?
Ans: National Council of Educational Research and Training.
4. How many stages are there in human development?
Ans: Four.
5. What type of education is given during infancy?
Ans: Pre-primary education.
6. What type of education is given during childhood?
Ans: Primary education.
7. What type of education is given during adolescence?
Ans: Secondary education.
8. What is the first stage of formal education?
Ans: Primary education.
9. At what age does primary education begin?
Ans: From the age of 6 years.
10. Which period of life is called the “period of storm and stress”?
Ans: Adolescence.
11. In which year was Indira Gandhi National Open University established in Delhi?
Ans: 1985.
12. When was National Council of Educational Research and Training established?
Ans: 1961.
13. Determine True or False:
(a) According to Jean-Jacques Rousseau, adolescence is the formative period of life.
Ans: True.
(b) According to Rousseau, childhood is from 6 years to 12 years of age.
Ans: True.
(c) One major characteristic of childhood is attraction toward the opposite sex.
Ans: False.
(d) One major problem of adolescence is the sexual problem.
Ans: True.
(e) The problems of adolescence should be solved through strict discipline.
Ans: False.
(f) Pre-primary education is also known as preparatory education for formal schooling.
Ans: True.
(g) Pre-primary education is the first stage of formal education.
Ans: False.
(h) The Education Ministers of every state are members of the National Council of Educational Research and Training.
Ans: True.
(i) Television and radio play an important role as media of education.
Ans: True.
(j) Students in adolescence are given diversified curricula.
Ans: True.
Short Questions and Answers: (Value of each—2/3)
1. Mention two main differences between infancy and childhood.
Ans: Two main differences between infancy and childhood are:
(a) During infancy, a child is dependent on others, but during childhood, the child becomes less dependent.
(b) During infancy, a child is self-centered, but during childhood, the child is not self-centered.
2. What are the main stages of human development?
Ans: The main stages of human development are:
(a) Infancy
(b) Childhood
(c) Adolescence
(d) Adulthood
3. Why do children ask questions frequently?
Ans: Children become curious about the objects, events, and situations around them. As a result, they frequently ask questions in order to know and understand those things.
4. What is meant by fantasy (imaginative tendency)?
Ans: Fantasy means the tendency to enjoy imagining things. One of the characteristics of infancy is imaginative play. Children like to create colourful imaginations. Because of their strong imaginative tendency, children sometimes may even resort to telling untrue stories. Psychologists believe that the imagination of children should be allowed to develop.
5. What are the needs of adolescence?
Ans: The needs of adolescence are:
(a) Need for new knowledge.
(b) Need for social life.
(c) Need for free activity.
(d) Need for expression.
(e) Need for development of instincts.
(f) Need for a philosophy of life.
(g) Need for recognition.
(h) Need for independence.
(i) Need for sexual satisfaction.
6. What is meant by growth and development?
Ans: ‘Growth’ is used only in relation to physical development. It indicates the gradual increase in body size, weight, height, and other physical aspects. On the other hand, ‘development’ refers to the improvement of abilities such as efficiency, skills, and mental capacity that arise along with physical growth.
7. What are the main factors of development?
Ans: The main factors of development are:
(a) Growth
(b) Maturation
(c) Experience
(d) Social transmission
8. Mention the difference between growth and development.
Ans: There is a difference between growth and development. Growth is used only in the physical sense and refers to the gradual increase in body size, weight and height. Development, on the other hand, refers to the improvement of abilities, efficiency, and mental capacities that result from physical growth.
9. Write two physical characteristics of infancy.
Ans: Two physical characteristics of infancy are:
(a) Rapid physical growth.
(b) Development of motor movements.
C. Medium Answer Type Questions: (Marks for each – 4)
1. Write three basic principles of development.
Ans: The three basic principles of development are:
(a) Development is a continuous process.
(b) Development includes change.
(c) Development proceeds from the general to the specific.
2. Mention three characteristics of development.
Ans: Three characteristics of development are:
(a) Development is a continuous and long-term process.
(b) The rate of development is not always uniform; sometimes it becomes rapid and sometimes slow.
(c) Development depends on heredity and environment.
3. What is meant by development? What are its characteristics?
Ans: Development refers to the attainment of physical and mental maturity. The characteristics of development are:
(a) Development continues continuously as a result of interaction with the environment.
(b) The rate of development is not always uniform; sometimes it is rapid and sometimes slow.
(c) Differences of sex are related to the rate of development.
(d) Development occurs through the coordination of changes in physical, mental, social, emotional, and moral aspects.
(e) Development is a continuous and long-term process. On the basis of physical, mental, and social characteristics, the span of human life is divided into four stages:
(a) Infancy: From birth to 5 years.
(b) Childhood: From 6 to 12 years.
(c) Adolescence or youth: From 13 to 18 years.
(d) Adulthood: After 19 years.
4. What is infancy? What are its characteristics?
Ans: The period from birth to 5 years of age is called infancy. This stage is the first stage of human life. The main characteristics of infancy are:
(a) Rapid physical growth occurs during infancy.
(b) The child remains dependent on others.
(c) Children are attracted to play and games.
(d) Children tend to imitate others.
(e) Children are highly emotional during this period.
(f) Children acquire language during this stage.
(g) Children become curious and ask many questions to elders.
(h) Children are self-centered and mainly concerned with fulfilling their own needs.
5. How should the educational system during infancy be? Write briefly.
Ans: The period from birth to 5 years is called infancy. During this time, the physical and mental development of the child takes place. Therefore, the following measures should be taken carefully:
(a) Elders should pay attention to the development of the child.
(b) Importance should be given to developing the child’s thinking and imagination.
(c) The curiosity of children should be encouraged, and their questions should be answered properly.
(d) Importance should be given to teaching the mother tongue.
(e) Efforts should be made to fulfil the child’s interests and desires.
(f) Arrangements for play, dance, and music should be made for the child’s physical and mental development.
(g) A healthy and peaceful educational environment should be created.
(h) Importance should be given to developing the child’s latent talents.
6. What is childhood? What are the characteristics of this stage?
Ans: The period from about 6 years to 12 years of age is generally called childhood. This stage is the second stage of human development. Childhood is divided into two parts:
(a) Early childhood: From 6 to 8 years.
(b) Later childhood: From 9 to 12 years. The characteristics of childhood are:
(a) Physical development becomes faster; height and weight increase, and muscular control improves.
(b) Memory, attention, imagination, and thinking power develop.
(c) Children become outgoing and like outdoor games and activities.
(d) Children show a strong interest in games and sports.
(e) A sense of group loyalty develops among children.
(f) Social awareness begins to develop.
(g) Same-sex grouping is another characteristic of this stage.
(h) The desire for self-establishment begins to appear.
7. How should the educational system during childhood be?
Ans: The period from 6 to 12 years is called childhood. During this stage, the educational system should be arranged as follows:
(a) Education should be provided according to the interests and aptitudes of children.
(b) The education system should be based on practical experiences; therefore, learning through activity should be emphasized.
(c) Arrangements for games and physical activities should be made for physical development.
(d) Environmental education should be provided.
(e) Importance should be given to teaching cleanliness and hygiene.
(f) Educational tours should be arranged to satisfy children’s curiosity.
(g) Since same-sex grouping is a characteristic of this stage, co-education should be arranged.
8. What is adolescence? Mention its main characteristics.
Ans: The period from about 12 to 18 years of age is called adolescence. During this stage, physical, mental, intellectual, and emotional development occurs and gradually reaches maturity. It is considered the most complex period of human life. The main characteristics of adolescence are:
(a) Physical development: Physical growth becomes rapid; muscles become stronger, and body weight and strength increase.
(b) Mental development: Mental abilities such as thinking power, imagination, and scientific reasoning increase.
(c) Emotional development: Emotional tendencies become strong and sometimes difficult to control, which may lead to problems such as frustration or delinquency.
(d) Self-reliance: A sense of independence develops and is expressed through actions and ideas.
(e) Attraction to the opposite sex: Due to biological changes, adolescents become attracted to the opposite sex.
(f) Hero worship: Adolescents often admire and imitate an ideal person.
(g) Social awareness: Awareness of social issues increases, and adolescents become interested in social activities. Thus, adolescence is considered the most complex period of life and is often described as the “period of storm and stress.”
9. What is adolescence? What are the main needs of this stage?
Ans: The period from about 12 to 18 years of age is called adolescence. During this stage, individuals experience rapid development in physical, mental, intellectual, and emotional aspects. The main needs of adolescence are:
(a) Physical needs: Due to rapid physical growth, proper food, games, and physical activities are necessary.
(b) Economic needs: Adolescents often wish to become economically independent.
(c) Social needs: Adolescents become socially active and feel the need for social security and participation in social activities.
(d) Sexual needs: With the activation of sex glands, adolescents develop attraction toward the opposite sex.
(e) Need for social recognition: Adolescents seek appreciation, rewards, and recognition through activities such as sports, quizzes and debates.
(f) Need for independence: Adolescents desire freedom to think and act according to their own wishes.
D. Essay Type Questions and Answers: (Marks for each – 5/6)
1. Why is adolescence called the “period of storm and stress”? Briefly discuss what the system of education during adolescence should be like.
Ans: The period of human life from 12 years to 18 years is called adolescence. During this period, a person develops physically, mentally, intellectually, emotionally, and in all other aspects and gradually attains maturity. It is the most complex stage of human life. In this period, adolescents possess abundant physical and mental energy. As a result, emotions, feelings, imagination, sexual desires, the need for social recognition, and the desire to become economically self-reliant increase, and they become highly ambitious. Consequently, they face various kinds of problems. If their needs are not fulfilled during this period, they often become rebellious and sometimes create various disturbances in society. Therefore, this period is described as a “critical period” or a “period of storm and stress.” Considering the complex characteristics of adolescence, an educational system should be adopted that satisfies their physical and psychological needs in the following ways:
(a) Considering the rapid physical development during adolescence, proper physical education should be provided.
(b) During this period, adolescents should be given freedom according to their interests, tastes, and abilities, and a diversified curriculum should be arranged.
(c) In this stage, adolescents are suitable for secondary education. Through activities such as national integration camps, Scouts and Guides, qualities like leadership, discipline, and obedience should be developed.
(d) For the enrichment of knowledge during this period, arrangements such as educational tours, field-based studies, and participation in social activities should be made so that they can learn to adjust with different environments.
(e) Sexual problems are a major issue during adolescence. Therefore, sex education should be provided so that adolescents do not go astray.
(f) During this period, adolescents seek social recognition, so they should be encouraged to participate in various competitive activities.
(g) They should also be given education about the environment, international understanding, tolerance, religious harmony, and cultural integration.
