University of Northeastern Philippines Prof. Dexter B. Cargullo

1. Conflict and
Stress

2. 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.

3. Factors that Cause frustration
 Physical Environment

4. Factors that Cause frustration
 Social Environment

5. Factors that Cause frustration
 Individual’s Own Limitation

6. Factors that Cause frustration
 Conflict

7. 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.

8. Four types of conflict
1. 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

9. Four types of conflict
2. 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

10. Four types of conflict
3. 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

11. Four types of conflict
4. 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

12. 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 aggression
b. Displaced or indirect aggression

13. 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.
 Regression
This 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.