In the following question, a statement of Assertion (A) is followed by a Statement of Reason (R). Read the Statements and choose the appropriate option.
Assertion (A) : Creative visualisation helps in managing stress by using imagination and mental imagery.
Reason (R) : It is more effective when the mind is quiet, the body is relaxed, and the eyes are closed, as this minimizes distractions and enhances focus.
In the following question, a statement of Assertion (A) is followed by a Statement of Reason (R). Read the Statements and choose the appropriate option.
Assertion (A) : Creative visualisation helps in managing stress by using imagination and mental imagery.
Reason (R) : It is more effective when the mind is quiet, the body is relaxed, and the eyes are closed, as this minimizes distractions and enhances focus.
Options
Correct option: (B) — both statements are factually correct, but Reason does not directly explain Assertion.
- Assertion (A) is true: Creative visualisation is a recognised relaxation-based stress management technique in which a person uses imagination and mental imagery (e.g., picturing a calm scene or a successful outcome) to reduce physiological and psychological stress.
- Reason (R) is true: It is indeed recommended to practise creative visualisation with a quiet mind, relaxed body, and closed eyes, since this reduces external distractions and improves concentration on the mental image.
- Why R is not the explanation of A: R only describes the ideal conditions for practising the technique well; it does not explain the actual mechanism stated in A — namely, how imagination and mental imagery themselves bring about stress reduction. Since R answers "under what conditions" rather than "why/how", it is not the correct explanation of A.
Marking Scheme
- 11 mark: correct option (B) selected — both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason does not correctly explain Assertion.
Hint
Ask: does R explain WHY A happens, or just describe WHEN A works best? Here R only gives ideal conditions, not the cause.
Quick Oral Answer
Creative visualisation reduces stress through imagined mental imagery, and works best in relaxed, distraction-free conditions — but that condition explains effectiveness, not the core mechanism, so the answer is (B).
Analysis & Explanation
This assertion-reason item tests precise reading of causal relationships, a common trap in CBSE Psychology objective questions.
Why the key is B:
Both statements individually match NCERT content on stress-management techniques under "Meeting Life Challenges": creative visualisation uses mental imagery to relax the mind and cope with stress (A), and it is best practised in a calm, distraction-free state (R). However, R explains the optimal conditions for the technique, not the underlying reason imagery reduces stress — so the two statements are related but not in an explanatory (cause-effect) relationship.
Why the distractors are wrong:
- Option A is wrong because it wrongly assumes R gives the causal explanation for A; R is a supporting condition, not the mechanism.
- Option C is wrong because R is a true statement (not false) — quiet mind and closed eyes genuinely minimize distraction.
- Option D is wrong because A is a true, well-established fact about creative visualisation, not false.
Exam trap: Students often mark (A) automatically whenever both statements sound related and true, without checking if R truly justifies A's causal claim.
Common Mistakes
- 1Selecting option (A) by assuming any two true, related statements automatically form an explanation — R here is a supporting condition, not a cause.
- 2Confusing creative visualisation with other relaxation techniques like biofeedback or meditation while explaining the assertion.
- 3Marking (C) or (D) due to doubting the well-established validity of imagery-based relaxation as a stress-coping technique.
Interesting Facts
Creative visualisation is used in sports psychology too — athletes mentally rehearse a perfect performance before competitions to reduce anxiety and improve confidence.
The technique draws on the principle that the brain responds similarly to vividly imagined experiences and real experiences, a finding supported by neuro-imaging studies of mental rehearsal.
NCERT groups creative visualisation along with biofeedback, meditation, and yoga under techniques that manage the physiological arousal component of stress.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is creative visualisation the same as meditation?
No. Creative visualisation specifically involves imagining a calming scene or successful outcome using mental imagery, while meditation is a broader practice of focused attention or awareness that may or may not involve imagery.
Why is R not considered the correct explanation even though it is true?
R explains the ideal practising conditions (quiet mind, relaxed body, closed eyes) for creative visualisation to work well, but it does not explain the underlying mechanism in A — that imagination and mental imagery themselves reduce stress. Since R answers a different question (conditions, not cause), it cannot be the correct explanation.