Identify which one of the following is an example of delusion of grandeur?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Mona thinks she is a world famous singer.
A delusion is a false belief that is firmly held on inadequate grounds; it is not affected by rational argument and has no basis in reality. Delusions are named by what they are about.
Option (1) Sunita thinks that aliens are contacting her. — Incorrect. This is a bizarre belief that outside beings are reaching out to her; it says nothing about her being a great or specially empowered person, which is what grandeur means.
Option (2) Mona thinks she is a world famous singer. — Correct. In delusions of grandeur, people believe themselves to be specially empowered persons. Believing oneself to be a world famous singer, without any basis, is such a belief.
Option (3) Raj thinks his food is poisoned. — Incorrect. This is a delusion of persecution, the most common kind in schizophrenia: the person believes that others are plotting against her/him or trying to harm her/him.
Option (4) Sunaina thinks that the news anchor is conveying message of aliens. — Incorrect. This is a delusion of reference: the person attaches special and personal meaning to the actions of others or to objects and events, here to an ordinary news broadcast.
NCERT (2025-26): “Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders … Many people with schizophrenia develop delusions. A delusion is a false belief that is firmly held on inadequate grounds. It is not affected by rational argument, and has no basis in reality.…” “…People with schizophrenia may also experience delusions of reference in which they attach special and personal meaning to the actions of others or to objects and events. In delusions of grandeur, people believe themselves to be specially empowered persons and in delusions of control, they believe that their feelings, thoughts and actions are controlled by others.…” |