Assignment

Week-3

MSQ

1. Based on the behaviour of the three people participating in a group discussion, choose

the appropriate answer that suits these people.

Ayesha, nodding politely, shifted the dialogue towards a more neutral subject because

she prefers to be inactive and does not want to state her opinion.

Raj, calmly articulating his thoughts, spoke with conviction, making sure his

perspective was acknowledged and gave equal space for others to articulate their

opinions, to which he carefully listened and calmly responded to his agreements and

disagreements.

Ananya forcefully dismissed opposing viewpoints and imposed her stance on the

conversation, leaving little room for others to convey their ideas.

• Ayesha is a Passive person.

• Raj is an Assertive person.

• Ayesha is an Aggressive person.

• Raj is a Passive person.

• Ananya is an Assertive person.

• Ananya is an Aggressive person.

(As mentioned in Lecture 11, passive people usually refrain from voicing their opinions,

while aggressive people try to dominate the conversation by forcing their viewpoints. To the
contrary, assertive people are open-minded and give equal space for others to express their

ideas, but at the same time, instead of complying with others’ ideas, they will politely

articulate their point of view. Thus, Ayesha is Passive, Raj is Assertive, and Ananya is

aggressive.)

2. Identify the people with Aggressive behaviour.

• Deep in competition, Vinaya resorted to hostile tactics, deliberately

undermining her opponent’s efforts, and causing distress with offensive

comments.

• Upasna remains calm and composed in the face of a rude remark, responding with

a polite tone that diffuses tension effortlessly.

• When faced with a challenging encounter, Sophie approaches it with a composed

attitude by choosing polite words to navigate the situation gracefully.

• Krishna, displaying emotional bluntness and a tendency to dominate,

consistently thrusts his opinions without regard for others’ feelings, creating

an environment of tension and unease.

• Gautam, seeking to establish dominance, often undermines his peers, firmly

believing in his superiority and causing harm to relationships with his

bullying attitude.

• Arvind, trying to claim superiority over others, always communicates his

opinions forcefully, hurting others emotionally and weakening their

confidence.

(As implied in Lecture 11, aggressive people have harmful communicative practices arising

from hostile motives to be dominant. They often express their opinions by insulting or
criticising others. From the given options, Vinaya, Krishna, Gautam and Arvind exhibit these

traits.)

3. Sharan, one of your best friends, is fed up with his workplace as his colleagues

constantly dominate him; Sharan’s colleagues never give him the freedom to share his

opinions. Recognising your ability to communicate effectively, Sharan approaches

you for assistance in developing Assertiveness. He shares his desire to participate in

conversations more confidently and express his thoughts without hesitation. In an

attempt to help him, what are the basic suggestions you would give Sharan to become

Assertive?

• Ask Sharan to observe who is trying to control him, on what occasions, and

what sort of relationship exists between you and the other person.

• Advice Sharan to change his attitude and get out of limiting beliefs, such as

thinking that he is alone without anyone to help him or that if he articulates

his opinions, others will consider him a bad person.

• Ask Sharan to start expressing his needs and thoughts politely instead of

becoming defensive and expressing them very offensively and aggressively.

• Ask Sharan to avoid people who discourage him from becoming Assertive.

• Ask Sharan to remove all self-doubts about whether he can ever be Assertive

or successful in becoming Assertive.

• Ask Sharan to comply with others’ will and always say ‘yes’ to their demands.

(Ways to start being assertive: First, one should know the dynamics of the conversation and

identify who is trying to manipulate the conversation. Secondly, one must believe that

articulating one’s thoughts is essential, and people will only respect you for standing firm on

your beliefs instead of succumbing to them. Thirdly, one must politely express one’s views

instead of choosing aggressive behaviours and avoid people discouraging one from being
assertive. Finally, get out of limiting thoughts about one’s potential to be assertive and firmly

believe anyone can learn the art of assertiveness. Refer to Lectures 11 and 12 for further

understanding)

4. From the people below, choose the ones that are in agreement with Stanley and

Nancy’s ten commandments for escaping restrictive inner beliefs and achieving one’s

goal.

• Anika, attempting to find quiet time for herself, practices yoga every

morning, followed by gentle stretches and meditation that brings her a sense

of calm and solitude.

• Chandrika never pursued her passion for painting because she was convinced that

she lacked the innate ability to create meaningful art.

• After being fed up pretending to fit in with society’s expectations, Gopal

decides to be honest about his fears and insecurities, inviting others to share

their true selves in return, fostering mutual understanding and genuine

connection.

• Despite having numerous business ideas, Mohammad felt restricted by his

inadequate monetary state, holding back from entrepreneurial pursuits due to a

perception of financial limitations.

• Isha, a firm believer in self-reliance, seeks answers within and undergoes a

self-discovery process, extensively relying on her inner wisdom to guide her

through life’s complexities.

• Darika’s belief that she lacks intelligence limited her academic aspirations,

causing her to avoid challenging courses and advanced learning opportunities,

hindering her personal and professional growth.

(The ten commandments of Stanley and Nancy include everyday exercises with meditation

for peace, being honest with others, forming deeper connections with others, and attempting

to look within yourself and discover answers from within. Thus, Anika, Gopal, and Isha are

in agreement with the commandments.. Refer to Lecture 12.)

5. From the list of people below, identify the ones with negative emotions.

• Charita has deep resentment and hatred for her former colleagues because

they once conspired against her, leading to Charita’s suspension when she

was not at fault.

• Gauri radiates joy and positivity, finding happiness in small moments and

spreading cheer to those around her.

• Isaac displays kindness and empathy, understanding the importance of positive

emotions in building meaningful relationships.

• Harish’s heart is consumed by jealousy as his close friend is accepted into a

top university for his MA programme while Rohit’s application is rejected

due to low percentile.

• Elijah is an individual who wholeheartedly embraces enthusiasm in all aspects of

his life. When it comes to tasks and challenges, he approaches them with an

infectious energy that is both invigorating and motivating.

• Ira is a beacon of love and compassion, emanating warmth that forges deep

connections with her friends and family. Her positive emotions act as the glue in

relationships, fostering a sense of closeness and understanding.

(Some of the negative emotions are hatred, resentment, and jealousy. People give away to

such feelings in many situations instead of overcoming them. So, Charita and Harish are the

people with negative emotions because they exhibit negative feelings towards people around

them. For more information on this, refer to Lecture 12 and 13)

 6. From the list of quotes below, identify the ones that talk about the harmful nature of

negative emotions.

• “Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored

than to anything on which it is poured.”

• “Gratefulness helps us focus on the positive things in our lives rather than the

negative ones.”

• “More men die of jealousy than of cancer.”

• “Positive emotions and mental states may make people more resilient to stress,

like sturdy tree branches that bend but do not break when battered by a storm.”

• “We are not built for resentment; it damages our souls and personalities—

even our health.”

• “We hate some persons because we do not know them, and we will not know

them because we hate them.”

(Anger, jealousy, resentment, and hate are self-destructive. Thus, the quotes exhibiting such

harm to others and oneself are the correct options. Refer to Lecture 13 to learn more about

negative emotions.)

7. Identify the appropriate statements for the betterment of an individual and society.

• The world already has enough negativity so a positive attitude will spread joy

around us.

• Negative thinking is the key to overcoming challenges and finding solutions in

difficult situations.

• Positive thinking will always help one find a way out of a difficult situation.

• Embracing society’s judgments and conforming to stereotypes is essential for

personal development, and thinking optimistically hinders growth.

 • Thinking optimistically helps in one’s development and personality growth

instead of being discouraged by society’s judgements and stereotypes.

• The world thrives on negativity, and embracing a negative attitude will bring us

more joy and fulfilment.

(Since there is already so much hate, individuals must spread joy whenever possible. Being

positive also helps to find a way out of a problem that could help overcome stereotypes and

other societal oppression. Refer to Lecture 14 for further understanding.)

8. Identify the proverbs/quotes that express the power of positive thinking.

• “The people who succeed are not the ones who avoid failure; they are the

ones who learn how to respond to failure with optimism.”

• “Optimism is a fleeting illusion; true strength lies in the power of relentless

negativity.”

• “Positive thinking is more than just a tagline. It changes the way we behave.

And I firmly believe that when I am positive, it not only makes me better but

also makes those around me better.”

• “Embrace negativity, for in the shadows of pessimism, you will find the truest

enlightenment.”

• “Negativity is the fertiliser for the garden of innovation; only in the soil of despair

can the seeds of brilliance truly grow.”

• “It takes but one positive thought when given a chance to survive and thrive

to overpower an entire army of negative thoughts.”

(Optimistic thoughts help overcome obstacles and improve one’s character and personality,

eventually influencing those around them. Thus, one can overcome a bad lifestyle by starting

with one small positive thought, which will make a significant difference. Quotes indicating

these traits are the correct answers. Refer to Lectures 14 and 15.)
 9. Identify the steps involved in changing negative thoughts into positive ones.

• Delving deep into the self.

• Blaming others.

• Discarding limitations.

• Developing a positive image.

• Constantly gossiping.

• Synchronising body, mind, and the world.

(As implied in Lecture 15, to convert negative thoughts into positive ones, one must first stop

limiting thoughts and try to introspect oneself deeply within one’s mind. Further, one should

discard any low self-image and develop a positive image of oneself. Importantly, one should

synchronise with body, mind, and the world.)

10. Identify the people who are discarding their limitations and are on the way to

enhancing their Soft Skills and personality.

• Deep in self-reflection, Nisha has transformed from denial to acceptance,

taking full responsibility for her past mistakes.

• Surrounded by a supportive community, Kabir actively embraces change,

recognising the need to take responsibility for his actions and cultivate

empathy for those he may have hurt.

• Inspired by a desire for self-improvement, Hitesh confronts the reality of his

bad habits, openly discussing his difficulties and seeking guidance.

• Emily aligns her behaviour with established stereotypes to fit in and avoid

judgment, finding comfort in societal norms.

 • Through self-awareness and introspection, Garima has transitioned from

blaming external factors to accepting her choices, demonstrating a newfound

commitment to personal accountability.

• Krish willingly plays his role within societal stereotypes, seeing them as a

predefined script for navigating life.

(A few of the ways to improve oneself and learn soft skills are to take responsibility for one’s

mistakes and surround oneself with a supportive community to help rectify the mistakes

made in the past. It is also important to open up, discuss the issues with others, and commit to

becoming a better person. Since Nisha, Kabir, Hitesh, and Garima exhibit these traits, they

are on their way to becoming a better person. Refer to Lectures 14 and 15.)

MCQ

11. What is Assertiveness in simple terms?

• Assertiveness is synonymous with aggression, as it involves imposing one’s

opinions on others forcefully.

• Assertiveness is an innate trait; it cannot be developed through practice or

learning.

• Assertiveness requires adopting a domineering tone and demeanour to establish

authority.

• Being Assertive means disregarding social norms and displaying rude or

disrespectful behaviour.

• Assertive individuals lack empathy, as they prioritise their needs over the feelings

of others.

• Assertiveness is the ability to express one’s thoughts, needs, and desires in a

clear, direct manner while respecting the perspectives of others.

(As implied in Lectures 11 and 12, assertiveness is the ability to express one’s thoughts,

needs, and desires in a clear, direct manner while respecting the perspectives of others.)

12. How would you define a Passive personality?

• Individuals with a Passive personality naturally seek continuous engagement in

various activities. Whether it is pursuing hobbies, participating in social events, or

taking up new projects, they thrive on staying involved and finding stimulation in

diverse experiences.

• A Passive personality is marked by being emotionally dishonest, self-evasive,

and inexpressive, often leading to anxiousness as individuals struggle to

openly communicate their true feelings and needs.

• A Passive personality is characterised by an abundance of vibrant energy,

reflected in a lively and animated approach to daily life. This energy often

translates into a proactive attitude, motivating individuals to take on challenges

enthusiastically.

• Passive personalities approach life with a dynamic mindset. They are open to

change, adaptable to challenges, and constantly seek ways to evolve.

• A Passive personality often goes hand in hand with an adventurous spirit. These

individuals are more likely to seek out novel experiences, embrace challenges, and

find excitement in exploring the unknown and learning new skills.

• A Passive personality often serves as an inspiration to others. Their energy and

passion can motivate people around them.

(A Passive personality is marked by being dishonest, self-evasive, and inexpressive, often

leading to anxiousness as individuals struggle to openly communicate their true feelings and

needs. Refer to Lecture 11.)

 13. Read the following passage and choose the appropriate observation:

Saumya constantly seeks approval and assesses her worth based on external validation. If

someone fails to acknowledge her, she feels insecure. Despite achieving success, the

absence of constant praise from others leaves her in self-doubt. As a result of looking for

validation from others, Saumya involuntarily becomes a puppet to others’ wishes.

• Saumya excels in Assertive communication, expressing her thoughts and needs

with confidence and clarity, fostering open and effective dialogue.

• Saumya’s unique approach to problem-solving sets her apart, as she creatively

tackles challenges, bringing innovative solutions to the table.

• Saumya is a person who is not Assertive. Her constant need for external

validation is killing her autonomy; hence, she must develop the habit of self-

approval to rely on her judgment.

• Saumya values her individuality in decision-making, considering diverse

perspectives but ultimately making choices aligned with her vision and values.

• Exhibiting leadership qualities, Saumya fosters collaboration by actively listening

to others, incorporating diverse ideas, and ensuring a collective approach to

achieving goals.

• Saumya embodies visionary qualities, inspiring others through her unique

perspective, fostering innovation, and creating a positive and impactful work

environment.

(Saumya is a non-assertive person seeking validation. This makes her succumb to others’

opinions, and because of this, she becomes very dependent on how others see her instead of

having a positive self-image. To know more about non-assertive behaviour, refer to Lectures

11 and 12.)
 14. Iqbal is working on a crucial assignment when his friend Manoj interrupts and

compels him for a coffee break. Iqbal is caught in a dilemma between choosing

friendship and academic engagement. As Manoj continues to persuade him, Iqbal tries

to find a solution that will neither hurt his friend nor affect his work. As a person who

knows about Assertiveness and the importance of saying ‘no’ from this course, what

would be your solution for Iqbal to handle this tricky solution?

• Iqbal could accompany him to the coffee shop, inform Manoj of his time

constraint, and leave early without staying long.

• With his overly compliant nature, Iqbal must say ‘Yes’ to his friend’s request and

go to the coffee shop despite having a lot of work because friendship is more

important than work.

• Iqbal should get angry and tell Manoj that he would not be available and not

disturb him again for petty reasons like going to a coffee shop.

• Iqbal should tell his mother to inform Manoj that he does not want to see him

because he is involved in work and avoids engaging with him directly.

• Iqbal should change his home to a new place so that Manoj will not come and

disturb him like this.

• Iqbal should give Manoj an indecisive answer that will confuse him and try to

give false hope that Iqbal might be joining him later.

(It is important to communicate properly and be assertive to say ‘No.’ But in case of

unavoidable situations, being involved in a task and informing others about your time

constraint will help you get back to your work without wasting too much time on unnecessary

things. Refer to Lecture 12 to learn to say ‘No’ and be assertive.)

15. Consider that you are an anger management coach for the renowned actor Khan. Khan

often doubts whether he is a bad person because he gets angry if someone makes
 stupid mistakes (which subsides in a while, and he will apologise in case of rude

behaviour). Because of this internal dilemma, he cannot focus on his career and came

to you asking for clarity. In this context, from among the given statements, identify

the most appropriate one about negative emotions.

• You will convey to him that harbouring mild hate, anger, and jealousy is a terrible

trait which can never be cured.

• You will encourage him to fully embrace and express heightened negative

emotions, disregarding the potential harm it may cause to personal well-being and

relationships.

• You will tell him that he has some mental issues and that he should avoid talking

to others and isolate himself for at least three months so that he will not hurt or

harm anyone else because of his bad behaviour.

• You will tell him that feelings of hate, anger and jealousy are natural and

spontaneous in some situations for humans. Following this, you will inform

him that he is not bad because he accepts the emotions and is willing to

control them properly.

• You tell him his mild negative emotions are concerning, and people will brand

him as bad. However, tell him not to worry about what others think and ask him to

be a bad person.

• You tell him that you are ashamed to be his Anger Management coach because

your client did not progress and imbibe your teachings.

(As implied in Lectures 13 and 14, it is essential to understand that spontaneous and mild

negative feelings are natural for humans. Thus, possessing negative feelings does not make

one bad, but constantly expressing bad mannerisms instead of controlling such negative

feelings is wrong. Since Khan realises and apologises to people, he is not a bad person but an

individual who is continually improving his personality.)

 16. Indrajit is a short-tempered person whose quick and aggressive reactions often have

negative consequences, creating problems in his relationships with others. Despite

recognising the need for emotional management, Indrajit struggles to control his

temper. As you have seen the lectures on emotional management, what would be your

primary advice to Indrajit?

• If frustrated by the situation, Indrajit should immediately express his anger,

raising his voice and venting his frustrations without restraint.

• Indrajit must postpone his impulsive response for ten minutes and ponder

the consequences and irreversible damages his actions could cause.

• Indrajit must go to a shop and break all the items to vent his anger instead of

shouting at people.

• Indrajit must go to a public place and shout as loud as possible so that everyone

will see his frustration and come to help him.

• Indrajit must aggressively articulate his needs and desires if he is faced with a

situation that irritates him.

• Indrajit must go to his friends and cry as much as possible to express his anger. If

no friends are available, he should still nag someone to listen to his sorrows.

(Postponing one’s impulsive actions helps one think and analyse the situation from all

perspectives. Thus, if Indrajit could pause for some time before taking action, he would be

able to regulate his anger better. Refer to Lecture 13.)

17. Read the passage and choose the appropriate observation:

Despite being assigned a difficult project, Tanvi embraces an optimistic approach by

focusing on solutions rather than dwelling on obstacles. By adopting such a positive

mindset, Tanvi reframes setbacks as opportunities for growth. In the face of adversity,
 Tanvi’s commitment to a constructive mindset transforms hurdles into stepping

stones, highlighting the transformative power of an optimistic attitude.

• Tanvi’s attitude shows us how being positive could create bad effects in our lives

by making us the centre of attraction to everyone.

• Tanvi’s story is an example of the power of positive thinking. Like Tanvi, we

should also be optimistic despite obstacles in our lives and hope for a happy

and prosperous future.

• This passage is a fantasy, and one can never be as positive as Tanvi because

suffering is inevitable, and one must succumb to it.

• Tanvi is from a wealthy family; hence, her enormous wealth and money make her

stay positive because money can do many things.

• Tanvi’s story is a testament to the limitations of positive thinking. Unlike Tanvi, it

is advisable to be realistic and acknowledge obstacles in life rather than relying

solely on optimism.

• Contrary to Tanvi’s approach, fostering a pessimistic mindset might be more

suitable for acknowledging life’s challenges and preparing for potential obstacles.

(Positive thinking and an optimistic approach are important to life because, with such an

attitude, one can overcome any hindrances and conquer all the obstacles. Thus, Tanvi’s story

exemplifies the power of positive thinking. Like Tanvi, we should also be optimistic despite

obstacles and hope for a happy and prosperous future. Refer to Lecture 14.)

18. From the options given below, identify the one that appropriately represent positive

and negative emotions.

• Experiencing constant anger is beneficial for maintaining a healthy mental state;

joy and happiness are detrimental to overall mental health.

 • Feeling overwhelming sadness all the time enhances one’s overall well-being;

feeling constant contentment hinders personal and professional growth.

• Chronic anxiety is a key factor in achieving success and personal growth;

optimism has no impact on one’s ability to overcome challenges.

• Sustained feelings of despair contribute positively to long-term happiness;

constant love and affection have no positive impact on interpersonal relationships.

• Embracing guilt is beneficial for maintaining healthy social connections; feeling

consistent hopefulness has no bearing on achieving life goals.

• Sharing negative emotions and exposing their honest self reduces the burden

of grief; sharing positive feelings increases the joy of happiness, making

everyone around you emanate with positivity.

(It is well-known that when someone is grieving or sad, sharing their thoughts and problems

with others will reduce the sorrow, while sharing their happiness with others will equally

make those around them happy. Refer to Lecture 14.)

19. Read the passage and choose the appropriate intervention:

Jagdish has been an average student. When he moved to a new school, he was

surrounded by supportive classmates who helped him stay motivated. The

encouraging atmosphere created by his peers inspired Jagdish to approach his studies

with renewed determination. Engaging in study groups and collaborative learning

sessions with his supportive classmates, Jagdish gained valuable insights and

academic support, leading to a noticeable improvement in his grades. The influence of

his peers not only boosted his confidence but also fostered an environment where

challenges were viewed as opportunities for growth rather than insurmountable

obstacles.
 • The lack of support from individuals around Jagdish underscored the idea that

success is solely an individual effort and is not influenced by external factors.

• Jagdish’s transformation from a struggling student to a brilliant academic

was proof of the impact of being surrounded by supportive individuals.

• One’s academic success depends on being friends with top rank holders. Thus,

one should not talk to people with low marks.

• Jagdish’s academic challenges persisted, showcasing that the concept of

surrounding oneself with positive people is a myth with no real impact on a

person’s achievement.

• Jagdish is a talentless person, and only because of his friends was he able to

succeed; thus, it is essential to depend on people instead of being independent.

• The ineffective transformation of Jagdish revealed that the presence or absence of

positive people has no bearing on personal success and achievement.

(One must always surround oneself with positive and encouraging people because one’s

environment greatly influences thought processes, behaviour and personality. So, since

Jagdish surrounded himself with positive people, his performance improved significantly.

Refer to Lectures 14 and 15.)

20. Identify the practice that can help one control emotions and become a better person.

• Avoiding regular exercise and leading a sedentary lifestyle.

• Getting inadequate sleep.

• Indulging frequently in self-analysis to identify your limitations, weaknesses,

faults, and mistakes.

• Consuming processed foods, sugary snacks, and low-nutritional items.

• Suppressing emotions, avoiding self-reflection, and neglecting mental health.

• Spending long hours on screens and binge-watching Netflix shows.

(As mentioned in Lecture 15, controlling emotions requires knowing oneself better. One of

the best ways to know oneself is through introspection; introspecting often will help one

understand one’s limitations, weaknesses, faults, and mistakes.)

True or False

21. A person with good Soft Skills usually exhibits Assertiveness and will avoid being

Passive or Aggressive.

• True

• False

(Assertive personality is a Soft Skill that needs to be learned and improved. Only the people

lacking Soft Skills will be Passive or Aggressive. Refer to Lectures 11 and 12.)

22. Through systematic and systemic changes, one can develop the quality of being

Assertive.

• True

• False

(Assertiveness is a quality that can be easily learned through consistent practice. Refer to

Lectures 11 and 12.)

23. One cannot fully control the external triggers that induce negative feelings, but it is

within one’s control to carefully respond and minimise the damage to oneself and the

people around them.

• True

• False
(As said in Lecture 13, one cannot fully control the external triggers that induce negative

feelings, but it is within one’s control to carefully respond and minimise the damage to

oneself and the people around them.)

24. The crux of emotional intelligence is the ability to control anger.

• True

• False

(Emotional intelligence helps one to control negative emotions. Since anger is one of the

negative emotions, people with emotional intelligence will always be calm and composed.

Refer to Lectures 13 and 14.)

25. Our thoughts impact our body language, and as a result, when we think positively, we

walk with confidence and cheerfulness.

• True

• False

(As mentioned in Lecture 15, our thoughts impact our body language; as a result, when we

think positively, we walk confidently and cheerfully.)