Which of the following may result due to the blocking of needs and motives by something or someone that hinders us from achieving a desired goal?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Frustration
Option (1) Conflicts — Incorrect. Conflicts occur between two or more incompatible needs or motives, for example whether to study dance or psychology. The stress comes from having to choose, not from something blocking the way to a goal.
Option (2) Frustration — Correct. Frustration results from the blocking of needs and motives by something or someone that hinders us from achieving a desired goal. Its causes include social discrimination, interpersonal hurt and low grades in school.
Option (3) Internal pressures — Incorrect. Internal pressures stem from expectations from inside us to ourselves, such as ‘I must do everything perfectly’. They push us towards very high standards; nothing outside is blocking a goal.
Option (4) Social pressures — Incorrect. Social pressures come from people who make excessive demands on us, or with whom we have a personality clash. The pressure is the demand itself, not the blocking of our own goal.
Note: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2023 on 27-05-2023 (Slot 1) and 02-06-2023 (Slot 1).
NCERT (2025-26): “Psychological Stress … 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.” |