Given below are two statements

Statement I: Stress is experienced in relatively ordinary life conditions.
Statement II: Any life event that requires people to change, adapt or adjust can result in stress.

Correct option is A

The correct answer is Both Statement I and Statement II are true.
1. Statement I is true because stress is not only limited to extreme or traumatic situations but can also be triggered by daily life events or ordinary circumstances, such as running late, workload, family responsibilities, etc. This is commonly referred to as daily hassles in stress psychology.
2. Statement II is also true and aligns with the Transactional Model of Stress by Lazarus and Folkman, which defines stress as a result of an imbalance between demands and the individual’s coping resources. Any event that demands change, adaptation, or adjustment (whether minor or major) can trigger a stress response.

Information Booster

Conceptual Understanding of Stress
1. Nature of Stress:
Stress is a psychological and physiological reaction to a perceived challenge or threat.

2. Types of Stressors:
Major life events (e.g., divorce, death, job change).
Daily hassles (e.g., traffic, deadlines).
Chronic stressors (e.g., poverty, long-term illness).

3. Eustress vs. Distress:
Eustress: Positive stress that motivates (e.g., exams, promotions).
Distress: Negative stress that overwhelms coping capacity.

4. Cognitive Appraisal Theory (Lazarus):
Stress depends on the individual’s evaluation (appraisal) of the event and perceived ability to cope.

5. Adaptation and Adjustment:
Even positive life changes (e.g., marriage, promotion) can be stress-inducing due to the required adjustment.

6. Stress is Subjective:
An event that is stressful for one person may not be for another, depending on personality, coping style, and past experiences.