Radhika wants to do everything perfectly. Everytime this expectation leads to disappointment and stress. Thus, the source of her psychological stress is _________.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Internal Pressure
Option (1) Frustration — Incorrect. Frustration results from the blocking of needs and motives by something or someone that hinders us from reaching a goal, such as social discrimination or low grades. Nothing outside blocks Radhika; her stress comes from her own demand.
Option (2) Conflict — Incorrect. Conflict occurs between two or more incompatible needs or motives, such as whether to study dance or psychology. Radhika is not torn between two choices.
Option (3) Internal Pressure — Correct. 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, as they do for Radhika.
Option (4) Social Pressure — Incorrect. Social pressures are brought about by people who make excessive demands on us. The demand for perfection here comes from Radhika herself, not from others.
NCERT (2025-26): “Types of Stress … 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.” |