Read the passage and answer the questions:
Anita is often found talking to herself alone. Her family is concerned because they have seen a gradual decline in her social life. She has stopped meeting her friends and chooses to stay inside, fantasizing about her idea of new world wherein she is the creator of a utopian territory with absolute law. A friend suggested that they take her to a therapist for treatment. It was observed that whenever she was approached by someone for a conversation, she would get agitated and blame them for stealing her ideas and thoughts. She is not able to think logically. She speaks in a peculiar way. Her situation is affecting both her social and personal life; the disturbed thought process is disrupting her basic functioning and thought process.
When someone believes that their feelings, thoughts, and actions are controlled by others, this is known as:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Delusions of Control
A delusion is a false belief that is firmly held on inadequate grounds, unaffected by rational argument. The options are its main kinds in schizophrenia.
Option (1) Delusions of Reference — Incorrect. Here people attach special and personal meaning to the actions of others or to objects and events, as if everything refers to them. The belief is about meaning, not about being controlled.
Option (2) Delusions of Grandeur — Incorrect. Here people believe themselves to be specially empowered persons, such as the next President of India or an incarnation of God.
Option (3) Delusions of Control — Correct. In delusions of control, people believe that their feelings, thoughts and actions are controlled by others, the very belief described in the question.
Option (4) Delusions of Persecution — Incorrect. The most common delusion in schizophrenia: people believe they are being plotted against, spied on, slandered, threatened, attacked or deliberately victimised. It is about being harmed, not about being controlled.
Note 1: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2026 on 06-06-2026 (Slot 1).
Note 2: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2023 on 22-06-2023 (Slot 3).
NCERT (2025-26): “Symptoms of Schizophrenia … Many people with schizophrenia develop delusions. A delusion is a false belief that is firmly held on inadequate grounds. It is not affected by rational argument, and has no basis in reality. Delusions of persecution are the most common in schizophrenia.…” “…People with schizophrenia may also experience delusions of reference in which they attach special and personal meaning to the actions of others or to objects and events. In delusions of grandeur, people believe themselves to be specially empowered persons and in delusions of control, they believe that their feelings, thoughts and actions are controlled by others.…” |