CBSE CLASS 12 PSYCHOLOGY CHAPTER 3 MEETING LIFE CHALLENGES NCERT SOLUTIONS FOR BOARD EXAM 2025

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NCERT SOLUTIONS CBSE CLASS 12 PSYCHOLOGY CHAPTER 3 MEETING LIFE CHALLENGES FOR BOARD EXAM 2025

This article provides comprehensive NCERT Solutions for Class XII Psychology, Chapter 3: Meeting Life Challenges. This document will have both in-text and review questions for one subject, together with all exercise questions for another subject. Completing all NCERT questions is essential for all school and board examinations.

We offer Different Solutions which students from Class 11 & 12 face during their CBSE boards exam preparations and also during their CUET UG preparations. Please check them out:

NCERT SOLUTIONS CBSE CLASS 12 PSYCHOLOGY CHAPTER 3 MEETING LIFE CHALLENGES FOR BOARD EXAM 2025

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1. Explain the concept of stress. Give examples from daily life.

Answer: Stress is the response of our body and mind to conditions that disrupt our equilibrium or are challenging to manage. The term originates from the Latin "strictus," signifying tight or narrow, and "stringere," meaning to tighten.

Stress can manifest in two forms:

• Eustress: Beneficial stress that inspires and enhances performance (e.g., studying for an examination or preparing for a significant event).
• Distress: Adverse stress that negatively impacts the body and psyche (e.g., persistent anxiety around financial issues).

Additional significant terminology:

• Stressors: Factors or occurrences that induce stress (e.g., examinations, work deadlines).
• Strain: The body's response to stimuli.
• Hans Selye, considered the "father of modern stress research," characterized stress as the body's non-specific reaction to any demand.

Principal attributes of stress:

• Various types of stressors elicit distinct reactions.
• Stress is contingent upon our perception and management of circumstances.
• It is influenced by individual, societal, and cultural influences.

2. State the symptoms and sources of stress.

Answer: Individuals respond to stress in diverse ways; the indicators and intensity will also change.

Common indicators include:

• Somatic: Cephalalgia, fatigue, or gastrointestinal distress.
• Emotional: Experiences anxiety, irritability, or sadness.
• Behavioral: Suboptimal sleep patterns or dietary habits.

Factors contributing to stress:

• Life Events: Major transitions, such as relocating to a new city or experiencing job loss.
• Daily Hassles: Minor issues such as disruptive neighbors or traffic congestion.
• Traumatic Events: Major occurrences including accidents, natural catastrophes, or theft. They may result in chronic anxiety, nightmares, and stress-induced ailments.

3. Describe the GAS model and illustrate the relevance of this model with the help of an example.

Answer: The General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS), proposed by Hans Selye, delineates the body's response to stress in three phases:

1. Alarm Stage: The body reacts to stress by releasing hormones to prepare for action, either to confront or flee from the threat.
2. Resistance Stage: During prolonged stress, the body endeavors to adapt and manage the circumstances.
3. Exhaustion Stage: Prolonged stress leads to bodily fatigue, increasing susceptibility to disorders such as hypertension.

Example: On the day of a significant examination:

• Alarm: You experience trepidation and your heart is pounding.
• Resistance: You focus and exert effort, enabling you to manage stress effectively.
• Exhaustion: Overexertion leads to burnout and illness.

4. Enumerate the different ways of coping with stress.

Answer: Coping refers to the appropriate management of stress. Endler and Parker proposed three methodologies:

• Task-Oriented Coping: Concentrating on problem-solving through planning and organization to achieve deadlines.
• Emotion-Focused Coping: Regulating emotions, such as sustaining optimism or preserving composure.
• Avoidance-Oriented Coping: Evading stress by circumventing the issue or engaging in distraction.

Lazarus and Folkman categorized coping into:

• Problem-Oriented: Measures taken to address the issue, such as soliciting help.
• Emotion-Focused: Mitigating adverse emotions, akin to the notion of relaxation.

5. Explain the effect of stress on psychological functioning.

Answer: Stress affects our body and mind in various ways:

• Physiological: Elevates heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormones; inhibits digestion; and induces tension.
• Cognitive: Diminishes concentration, memory retention, and decision-making capacity.
• Emotional: Induces emotional fluctuations, anxiety, or depression.
• Behavioral: Results in detrimental habits such as overeating, smoking, or irregular sleep patterns.

6. Describe how life skills can help meet life’s challenges.

Answer: Life skills enable us to confront obstacles adeptly. Essential life skills include:

• Assertiveness: Confidently declining and articulating oneself with clarity.
• Time Management: Organizing and prioritizing activities.
• Rational Cognition: Disproof of self-sabotaging notions and a focus on optimism.
• Enhancement of Relationships: Attentively listening to individuals, articulating emotions, and avoiding jealousy.
• Self-Health: Sustaining physical well-being through exercise, relaxation, and beneficial behaviors.
• Conquering Counterproductive Habits: Abandoning procrastination, perfectionism, or avoidance behavior.

7. Discuss the factors that lead to positive health and well-being.

Answer: Positive health is contingent upon:

• Nutrition: A well-balanced diet for maintaining fitness.
• Physical Activities: Including yoga and jogging, which improve mood and overall health.
• Optimistic Mindset: Sustaining a pleasant disposition aids in managing stress and promotes overall well-being.

8. How does stress affect the immune system?

Answer: Stress undermines the immune system, rendering the body susceptible to infections and illnesses. White blood cells (WBCs) in the immune system combat viruses and germs. Chronic stress, however, diminishes the efficacy of white blood cells, potentially resulting in ailments such as colds, influenza, or even serious conditions like cancer.

9. Give an example of a life event that is likely to be stressful. Suggest reasons why it is likely to cause different degrees of stress to the person experiencing it.

Answer: Experiencing the loss of a long-term employment position is significantly traumatic.

The level of stress fluctuates based on individuals' perceptions of the current circumstances:

• If regarded as a threat, they will experience a decline in self-esteem and heightened stress levels.
• If viewed as a challenge, they will endeavor to cultivate confidence in securing alternative employment.

10. Given what you know about coping strategies, what suggestions would you give to your friends to avoid stress in their everyday lives?

Answer: To alleviate stress, I recommend:

• Implementing task-oriented methodology: Strategize, coordinate, and concentrate on resolving issues.
• Fostering a constructive mindset and hopeful outlook.
• Engaging in relaxation techniques, physical activity, and maintaining a balanced diet.
• Implementing regular breaks and effectively managing time to prevent burnout.

11. Reflect on the environmental factors that have (a) a positive impact on well-being, and (b) a negative effect.

Answer:

• Beneficial Outcomes: Pristine, verdant environments enhance mood, alleviate stress, and promote healthy behaviors. Intense illumination can also enhance mental well-being.
• Adverse Effects: Pollution, congestion, and noisy environments induce worry, stress, and health issues.

12. We know that certain lifestyle factors can cause stress and may lead to diseases like cancer and coronary heart disease, yet we are unable to change our behavior. Explain why.

Answer: Individuals persist in detrimental behaviors (such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, or overeating) due to:

• These habits offer transient comfort or gratification.
• Adverse impacts, such as diseases, manifest after prolonged periods, leading to a disregard for the associated hazards.
• These practices become compulsive and difficult to discontinue.

See: Study like a topper - Join Humanitas Online Class 12 Batch

See: Study like a topper - Join Humanitas Online Class 12 Batch

What is the significance of NCERT questions?

NCERT Questions & Answers not only reinforce your comprehension of ideas and augment your learning but also serve as the foundation for all varieties of examination questions. The majority of the examination questions resemble those present in the NCERT. In certain instances, NCERT questions have appeared in examinations verbatim, without alterations.

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