Deep breathing, meditation, and muscle relaxation are all strategies that can be used for which of the following purposes?

• A. To promote aggressive behavior
• B. To increase cognitive dissonance
• C. To manage and reduce stress
• D. To enhance memory consolidation

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Identify the key terms in the problem—deep breathing, meditation, and muscle relaxation—and understand their general psychological purpose.
2. Step 2: Recall that these techniques are commonly used in stress management and relaxation therapies to help individuals reduce physiological and psychological tension.
3. Step 3: Evaluate each option by considering whether it aligns with the known effects of these strategies: aggressive behavior, cognitive dissonance, stress management, or memory consolidation.
4. Step 4: Recognize that deep breathing, meditation, and muscle relaxation are not typically associated with promoting aggression or increasing cognitive dissonance, nor are they primarily used to enhance memory consolidation.
5. Step 5: Conclude that these strategies are best understood as methods to manage and reduce stress, which is their primary psychological function.