PsychologyMeeting Life Challenges

Noise, crowding, a bad relationship, or the daily commuting to school…

Noise, crowding, a bad relationship, or the daily commuting to school or office are examples of which of the following?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 3

The correct answer is Option (3) → Stressors

Option (1) Strain — Incorrect. Strain is the reaction to external stressors. Noise or crowding is the cause; strain is what follows in the person.

Option (2) Eustress — Incorrect. Eustress is the level of stress that is good for you and helps peak performance.

Option (3) Stressors — Correct. Stressors are events that make the body give the stress response. Noise, crowding, a bad relationship and daily commuting are the book's own examples of such events.

Option (4) Distress — Incorrect. Distress is the harmful form that eustress can turn into, and it causes the body's wear and tear. It is a state of stress.

NCERT (2026-27): “Nature of Stress
The word stress has its origin in the Latin words ‘strictus’, meaning tight or narrow and ‘stringere’, the verb meaning to tighten. These root words reflect the internal feelings of tightness and constriction of the muscles and breathing reported by many people under stress. Stress is often explained in terms of characteristics of the environment that are disruptive to the individual. Stressors are events that cause our body to give the stress response. Such events include noise, crowding, a bad relationship, or the daily commuting to school or office. The reaction to external stressors is called ‘strain’ (see Fig.3.1).”