With reference to the case below, answer the following question.
Deepak is a class 12 student who is unable to decide which course to pursue after 12th. He is having difficulty in deciding between Physics and Economics as he likes to study both the subjects and wants to pursue them in undergraduation. Due to this he is unable to focus on any other goal. His friends and family are also posing demands on him which is making him feel frustrated. To overcome this he started deep breathing and following a diet.
Identify the important sources of psychological stress in Deepak's case
A. Frustration
B. Physical appraisal
C. Secondary appraisal
D. Social Pressures
E. Traumatic Events.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → A and D only
A. Frustration Correct. Frustration, one of the important sources of psychological stress, results from the blocking of needs and motives by something or someone that hinders us from reaching a goal. Deepak cannot settle on a course or focus on any other goal, and the case says in so many words that he feels frustrated.
B. Physical appraisal Incorrect. There is no such term. Lazarus speaks of two kinds of appraisal, primary and secondary, and neither is a source of stress.
C. Secondary appraisal Incorrect. Secondary appraisal is the assessment of one’s own coping abilities and resources after an event is seen as stressful. It is part of how a person judges stress, not a source that produces it.
D. Social Pressures Correct. Social pressures, another source of psychological stress, come from people who make excessive demands on us. Deepak’s friends and family are posing demands on him.
E. Traumatic Events. Incorrect. Traumatic events are extreme events such as a fire, a road accident, a robbery or an earthquake. They are a source of stress from outside, and Deepak has faced no such event.
NCERT (2025-26): “Psychological Stress … These are stresses that we generate ourselves in our minds. These are personal and unique to the person experiencing them and are internal sources of stress. We worry about problems, feel anxiety, or become depressed. These are not only symptoms of stress, but they cause further stress for us. Some of the important sources of psychological stress are frustration, conflicts, internal and social pressures, etc. Frustration results from the blocking of needs and motives by something or someone that hinders us from achieving a desired goal. There could be a number of causes of frustration such as social discrimination, interpersonal hurt, low grades in school, etc. Conflicts may occur between two or more incompatible needs or motives, e.g. whether to study dance or psychology. You may want to continue studies or take up a job. There may be a conflict of values when you are pressurised to take any action that may be against the values held by you. Internal pressures stem from beliefs based upon expectations from inside us to ourselves such as, ‘I must do everything perfectly’. Such expectations can only lead to disappointment. Many of us drive ourselves ruthlessly towards achieving unrealistically high standards in achieving our goals. Social pressures may be brought about from people who make excessive demands on us. This can cause even greater pressure when we have to work with them. Also, there are people with whom we face interpersonal difficulties, ‘a personality clash’ of sorts.” “Traumatic Events … These include being involved in a variety of extreme events such as a fire, train or road accident, robbery, earthquake, tsunami, etc. The effects of these events may occur after some lapse of time…” |