The chain below shows how distorted thinking leads to stress-related problems:
Stress -> an inbuilt selective bias to attend to negative thoughts and images from the past -> ______ -> stress-related problems
Which of the following fills the blank?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → These thoughts affect the person's perception of the present and the future.
Option (1) These thoughts affect the person's perception of the present and the future. — Correct. This is the chain behind rational thinking. Under stress we attend to negative thoughts and images from the past, and these affect our perception of the present and the future. Such distorted thinking then leads to stress-related problems.
Option (2) These thoughts lead the person to put the issue under the carpet and refuse to face it. — Incorrect. Putting the issue under the carpet and refusing to face it is avoidance, an unhelpful habit. It is a way of behaving.
Option (3) These thoughts lead the person to breathe rapidly and shallowly from high in the chest. — Incorrect. Rapid and shallow breathing from high in the chest is a bodily sign of stress or anxiety, described under self-care.
Option (4) These thoughts lead the person to put off what he knows he needs to do. — Incorrect. Putting off what one needs to do is procrastination, another unhelpful habit. The chain is about distorted thinking changing perception.
NCERT (2026-27): “Life Skills … |