Mr. X is on a diet for obesity. He wants some of his favourite dessert, ice cream, but he is also reminded of his extra calories. Identify the type of conflict.

1. A

   Approach-approach conflict

2. B

   Double approach-avoidance conflict

3. C

   Avoidance-avoidance conflict

4. D

   Approach-avoidance conflict

Appeared in: DSSSB -28 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Explanation

• The conflict described involves a single goal, eating ice cream.
• This goal has a positive aspect (it's a favorite dessert), which creates a tendency to 'approach' it.
• It also has a negative aspect (it contains extra calories), which creates a tendency to 'avoid' it.
• A situation where a person is both attracted to and repelled by the same goal is defined as an approach-avoidance conflict.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option A: This is incorrect because an approach-approach conflict involves choosing between two different, equally attractive goals. The scenario presents only one goal (ice cream) with mixed feelings.
• Option B: This is incorrect because a double approach-avoidance conflict involves choosing between two different goals, each having its own set of positive and negative aspects. The scenario only involves one goal.
• Option C: This is incorrect because an avoidance-avoidance conflict involves choosing between two different, equally unattractive options. In the scenario, the ice cream is desirable, not something to be avoided on its own merit.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

• Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Types of Motivational Conflict (Lewin's Theory) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
• Nurses and health counselors frequently encounter approach-avoidance conflicts in patients. Understanding this concept helps in counseling patients on lifestyle modifications (e.g., diet, exercise, smoking cessation), as it explains the psychological barrier to change.
• By identifying this conflict, a nurse can help the patient explore the pros and cons, set realistic goals, and find strategies to minimize the negative aspects (e.g., suggesting a smaller portion of ice cream or a low-calorie alternative).
• What if? If Mr. X had to choose between two things he equally disliked, such as giving up all desserts or exercising for an extra hour every day, the situation would become an avoidance-avoidance conflict. The nurse's role would then be to help him choose the 'lesser of two evils' or reframe the options to find a more acceptable path.

How to Approach the Question

• First, analyze the scenario in the question stem to identify the core decision or conflict.
• Identify the number of goals involved. In this case, there is only one goal: eating ice cream.
• Determine the nature of the goal(s). Is it positive (desirable), negative (undesirable), or both?
• Here, the ice cream is both desirable (favorite dessert) and undesirable (extra calories).
• Match this structure (one goal with both positive and negative aspects) to the definitions of the conflict types.
• This directly corresponds to the definition of an approach-avoidance conflict.

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: Types of Motivational Conflict (Lewin's Theory)
• Stem keywords: diet for obesity, favourite dessert, ice cream, extra calories, conflict
• Lead-in keywords: Identify the type
• Clinical cues: The scenario involves a single goal (eating ice cream) with both a positive attribute (favorite dessert) and a negative attribute (extra calories).

Question ID

QXYNNp5AhEYqPIsDdDOLcP

Copy ID

Reference Book

E6 Psychology Morgan King 9e Part 1 pp. 317-319, 318-320, 316-318