Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow:
Ravi was a sales assistant in an electronics shop who got a commission for every sale over and above his monthly salary. For the past few months, he had been behaving differently, and his performance was declining. When his boss checked with him, Ravi reported that he heard voices in his head telling him that the customers were spying on him. In fact, he was confident that someone had embedded a chip in his brain. Therefore, he was feeling threatened and deliberately victimized. Ravi's colleagues complained that he often used new and strange words and reacted inappropriately in any situation. One of Ravi's neighbours also shared that Ravi loved kicking and hurting street dogs and would laugh loudly when they were wounded and bled. It seemed that Ravi needed to visit a mental health professional to seek help.
What was Ravi experiencing when he reported that people were deliberately victimizing and threatening him?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Delusion of persecution
Option (1) Delusion of persecution — Correct. A delusion is a false belief that is firmly held on inadequate grounds and is not affected by rational argument. In delusions of persecution, the most common in schizophrenia, people believe that they are being plotted against, spied on, threatened, attacked or deliberately victimised. Ravi’s report that people were deliberately victimising and threatening him is this very belief.
Option (2) Delusion of grandeur — Incorrect. In delusions of grandeur people believe themselves to be specially empowered persons, for example the next President of India or an incarnation of God. Ravi feels threatened, not great.
Option (3) Hallucination — Incorrect. A hallucination is a perception that occurs in the absence of external stimuli, such as hearing voices. Ravi does hear voices, but the question asks about his belief that people were victimising him. A belief, however false, is a delusion, not a perception.
Option (4) Alogia — Incorrect. Alogia, or poverty of speech, is a negative symptom: a reduction in speech and speech content. Ravi talks a great deal and even invents words, so he does not show alogia.
NCERT: Psychology — Chapter 4: Psychological Disorders, Symptoms of Schizophrenia (2025-26)
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