Conflict and Stress

Frustration As an event: the thwarting circumstances that

block or interfere with goal – directed activity.

As a state: it is the annoyance, confusion, or anger engendered by being thwarted, disappointment, defeat.

Factors that Cause frustration Physical Environment

Factors that Cause frustration Social Environment

Factors that Cause frustration Individual’s Own Limitation

Factors that Cause frustration Conflict

Conflict Related to frustration is the state of conflict

which results when we must make a choice of alternatives and cannot arrive at a decision.

E.g.: Boy meets girl, asks for a date and is turned down: result – Frustration. Should be ask again or give up? Conflict.

Four types of conflict1. Approach – approach

This type of conflict occurs when the individual has two desirable but mutually exclusive goals.

Example:A student who has just finished his course is offered two jobs which are both good but must only select one of these jobs.

+Goal Person +Goal

Four types of conflict2. Avoidance - avoidance

This type of conflict occurs when there are two undesirable situations but cannot avoid one without encountering the other.

Example:A father dislikes his job but cannot resign because he has a family to support.

-Goal Person -Goal

Four types of conflict3. Approach - avoidance

The conflict occurs when a person is both attracted and repelled by the same object, person or situation.

Example:A male student likes to play basketball to acquire social acceptance but at the same time is afraid to be hurt and thought of as weak and sickly or incapable of playing the game.

Person -/+ GOAL

Four types of conflict4. Double/ multiple approach

In this type of conflict one is attracted to two positive goals but each one has negative alternatives.

Example:A family man has two job offers. One job could pay much higher salary but has to go abroad which would mean loneliness from home. Another job is just within the city where he resides but does not pay as mush. He must make a choice.

Job Offer A Person Job Offer B

Reactions to frustration Aggression

- Aggression is a kind of behavior intended to harm another person. It is either express verbally or physically.

2 types of aggression:a. Direct aggressionb. Displaced or indirect aggression

Reactions to frustration Apathy

This is another response to frustration which is just the opposite of aggression. This king of behavior shows indifference or withdrawal.

RegressionThis behavior is described as a return to childish form of behavior. Adults sometimes resort to immature forms of behavior when faced with frustration situations like to yell or start a fist fight, etc.