Ritika and Arjun, both Class 12 students in Pune, did badly in their first pre-board test. Ritika told herself that the setback could be handled. She made a revision timetable and asked her teacher for help with weak topics. Arjun said the result did not matter, stopped studying and dropped his plan of applying to engineering colleges. Ritika's friend Meera, who had taken the same board examination last year, explained the paper pattern to her and told her which resources had helped. When Ritika felt low, her parents told her that they loved her and valued her efforts. Her cousin also lent her his printed notes.
Ritika's way of dealing with the poor result marks her as:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → an optimist using problem-focused coping
Option (1) an optimist using problem-focused coping — Correct. Ritika expects the setback can be handled, which is optimism, the inclination to expect favourable outcomes. Her timetable and her request to the teacher are problem-focused coping and seeking help, which optimists use more.
Option (2) a pessimist using problem-focused coping — Incorrect. Ritika does use problem-focused coping, but she is not a pessimist. A pessimist anticipates disaster, while Ritika expects the problem can be handled.
Option (3) an optimist denying that stress exists — Incorrect. Ritika is an optimist, but she does not deny the stress. She accepts the poor result and works on it. Denying that stress exists is a pessimist's strategy.
Option (4) a pessimist giving up the goal — Incorrect. Giving up the goal is how a pessimist copes. Ritika keeps her goal and plans for it, so this fits Arjun.
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