Frustrations, Conflict, and Stress

ADJUSTMENT IN
BEHAVIOR

Nature of Frustration

Occurs when progress toward a desired goal is

blocked or delayed.

A condition of sustained motivation without

satisfaction

Nature of Conflict

Dilemma is when our inner wishes, needs

or urges push us in different directions.

When the needs or goals are not

compatible with our environment or social
requirements, we experience conflict.

At times, our own fears and insecurities

conflict with our hopes and ambitions.

Types of Conflict

Approach-avoidance conflict
may cause frustration if a person cannot
decide on something he likes to do because it
is closely associated with something he
dislikes to do.

Approach-approach conflict
we have two or more good choices but cant
have them both.

3. Avoidance-avoidance conflict
may cause frustration if a person has to choose
between two things he dislikes
4. Double or Multiple approach-avoidance
conflict
there are many choices, each with complex
positive and negative aspects.
5. Avoidance-approach conflict
some ordinarily avoidable goals are so enticing
that once you get close, you cant stop. Or avoid
something you dont like but once you get closer
to it, you suddenly realize you like it.

Responses to Frustration

Frustration Tolerance

is the ability to endure or bear anxietyprovoking situations without the use of

defensive strategies

Defense mechanism

A natural reaction of an individual who has not

been too successful in resolving more deeply
rooted frustration and conflict through welladjustive coping behavior.

DEFENSE MECHANISM

I. Withdrawal or Escape Reaction

Fantasy or Daydreaming

A temporary escape from the difficulties of real

life into a world of fantasy where ones desire
can be fulfilled in imagination.

Nomadism

attempt to get away from frustrating situations

Repression

unconscious withdrawal of certain unpleasant

thoughts or feelings

Regression

Reaction Formation

resorting to earlier ways of acting and feeling,

although it is no longer appropriate.

Doing the direct opposite of what you are feeling.

Denial

negative fantasy where individual refuse to admit

existence of reality too painful and unpleasant to
face

II. Aggressive Reaction

Displaced Aggression (DISPLACEMENT)

a person transfers or directs his aggressive
behavior against himself, or some other
person or objects causing frustrations

Forms of Displacement
Scapegoat

Redirecting our impulse (often anger) from the real target

(because that is too dangerous) to a safer but innocent
personwe take it to the people we love.

Free-floating Anger

Hostility becomes generalized so that hostility is directed

to almost anything or anybody.

Suicide

Hostility is directed toward oneself, turning against self

which may lead to suicide.

III. Compromise Reaction

Compromise reactions to frustrations involve

the acceptance of substitute goal for one that is
desired.

The person partially gives in to the frustrating

obstacle but does not give up completely his
original goals.

It usually involves lowering of ones level of

aspirations, some compromise is healthy and
adjustive, others are not.

Compromise Reaction
1. Rationalization

One of the most widely used defense

mechanism.

Here, the self-esteem is maintained by

assigning plausible and acceptable reasons
to ones own failure.

Alibis or excuses are used to substitute for

real cause.

Forms of Rationalization
a. Sour-Grape Attitude

When one cannot reach a particular goal or

incentive, he became frustrated and leaves
consoling himself that the goal isnt good
anyway.

b. Sweet Lemon Attitude

An attitude of accepting something you really do

not want.
everything happens for the best or a blessing
in disguise

2. Sublimation

Redirection of unacceptable impulses or desires

to socially accepted behavior patterns.
It provides outlet for the expression of frustrated
sexual desires.

3. Compensation

An attempt to disguise or cover up felt

deficiencies or undesirable traits by emphasizing
a desirable type of behavior.

4. Identification

The individual enhances his feelings of

importance by imitating or acquiring the
characteristics of a person whom he admires

5. Projection

Is a defense mechanism wherein the individual

attributes his unacceptable thoughts and desires
to others.

6. Undoing

If you have done something bad, sometimes you

can undo it or make up for it.

STRESS

Stress is an everyday experience for many

people, given the fast-paced and often
confusing society in which we live. Some
stress is necessary for normal functioning.
When life is peaceful and quiet for too long,
people become bored and they seek
excitement. But stress that is too intense or
prolonged can have destructive physiological
and psychological effects.

Although stress is generally thought of as

being the result of negative events, such as
illness or problems at work or in school, stress
can also be experienced as a result of positive
changes in ones life. All situations that
require adjustment can result to unpleasant and
potentially harmful experience of stress.

External Sources of Stress

Noise
Polluted air
Poor lightning
Over crowding
Unpleasant relationship
Uninteresting work
Life changes
Too much or too little responsibility
Too many rules

Internal Sources of Stress

Poor diet
Little exercise
Physical strain on the body
Unable to adjust to others
Experiencing conflict
Taking things seriously
Finding little meaning in life
Taking no time for yourself