The Four Types Of Psychological Pressure

Psychological pressure is a psychological sensation. In fact, it is the product of two mental forces pulling in opposite directions.

These forces can be of very different nature. For example, they can be desires or obligations. Still, we are talking about a situation that generally causes discomfort. So basically we could consider it something negative. However, this is not always the case

We have all been through situations of psychological pressure. For example, we have experienced the pressure to take a necessary step that we did not want to take. At other times, however, we don’t feel any pressure at all. The fact is that there are different kinds of psychological pressure.

1. Positive psychological pressure

Positive psychological pressure is the kind that gives you initiative. The most typical form of this is when you have to say to yourself ‘ you can do it ‘. It happens when doubt or fear acts as a brake and you need an extra dose of energy to act.

The main characteristic of positive pressure is that it promotes execution or performance. These are situations that you must overcome to improve yourself. The function of positive pressure is to motivate you to do this.

2. Negative psychological pressure

Negative psychological pressure occurs when someone tries to persuade or force another to act in a way that can be self-destructive. The usual thing is that the one applying the pressure is over-insistent, which overloads the person on the receiving end.

Negative pressure can also be exerted by circumstance. For example, if you have to sell your home to pay off outstanding debts. Or if unemployment is extremely high and you have to settle for a lower wage. In these cases, it is best to actively resist or find a way through the situation so that you can release the pressure.

3. Internal Pressure

Inner psychological pressure is one that comes from within. Usually it’s a sense of duty. However, it can also be dictated by fear, anxiety, anger and other emotions or moods. Its defining characteristic is that it always comes up in your own mind.

Internal pressure can be positive or negative. It is positive when it comes from personal awareness. In this case, you see reality with a certain objectivity and know that it is useful to push yourself to achieve something you want, or to keep something you value. With this kind of pressure, there is no incompatibility between psychological pressure and desire.

However, this kind of pressure can become negative when it comes from a neurotic desire or a deteriorated mood. For example, if you feel pressured to be perfect. Or to achieve goals that you don’t really want, but that please others. Putting this kind of pressure on yourself creates internal conflict.

4. External pressure

As with the internal species, the external psychological pressure can also be positive or negative. It all depends on the context in which it occurs and the direction it is aimed at. One of the basic characteristics of this type of pressure is that the person who receives it also has the power to give it meaning.

A common situation that illustrates this type of pressure can occur if you have to show up for a job on a certain day or time. However, the clock and calendar really have nothing to do with how you live or act. In fact, they are neutral stimuli and it is you who make them a constructive or destructive element.

There are those who make external pressure an absolute constraint. However, others assimilate and absorb it in such a way that it does not generate any negative effects. As you can see it all depends on how it is managed and not on the pressure itself.

Psychological pressure is present in the daily lives of many of us. For this reason, it is helpful to learn to identify what type it is and how to access it. This way you can make it work to your advantage.