Identify the problem focussed coping behaviour:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Reading essential books for the examination
Lazarus and Folkman divide coping into problem-focused and emotion-focused responses. Problem-focused strategies attack the problem itself: they gather information, alter the event and widen one’s options.
Option (1) Reading essential books for the examination — Correct. The student works on the source of the stress, the coming examination, by gaining the knowledge it requires. This raises her/his level of knowledge and reduces the threat value of the event, as in ‘I made a plan of action and followed it’.
Option (2) Missing school when assignments are not completed — Incorrect. Staying away is avoidance: it escapes the situation for a day, but the assignments remain undone.
Option (3) Blaming friends for losing the match — Incorrect. Putting the blame on others only vents anger and frustration, an emotion-oriented response; the reasons for losing are not dealt with.
Option (4) Hiding examination results from parents — Incorrect. Hiding the result tries to escape the unpleasant reaction, which is avoidance. The poor result itself stays as it is.
NCERT (2025-26): “Coping with Stress … According to them coping responses can be divided into two types of responses, problem-focused and emotionfocused. Problem-focused strategies attack the problem itself, with behaviours designed to gain information, to alter the event, and to alter belief and commitments. They increase the person’s awareness, level of knowledge, and range of behavioural and cognitive coping options. They can act to reduce the threat value of the event.…” “…Emotion-oriented Strategy : This can involve efforts to maintain hope and to control one’s emotions; it can also involve venting feelings of anger and frustration, or deciding that nothing can be done to change things.…” “…Avoidance-oriented Strategy : This involves denying or minimising the seriousness of the situation;…” |