Victoria has learned that she has metastatic breast cancer and has only a few months to live. She immediately goes to church and prays that she will “change her ways” and will become a model Christian if God will just heal her illness. Victoria is at the stage of grieving.
bargaining
denial
anger
depression
The Correct Answer is Explanation
The correct answer is bargaining.
Bargaining is one of the stages of grief, as described by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in her model of the five stages of grief. These stages include denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Bargaining typically occurs when an individual facing a terminal illness, the death of a loved one, or another significant loss attempts to make deals or promises in exchange for the possibility of reversing or alleviating the situation.
In Victoria’s case, she is diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer and is confronted with the reality that she has only a few months to live. Instead of immediately accepting this fate, she turns to a religious practice, praying to God and offering to “change her ways” in exchange for healing. This reflects the bargaining stage, as she is attempting to make a deal with a higher power in the hope of reversing her terminal diagnosis.
Bargaining is characterized by the individual’s hope that they can avoid or delay the inevitable by making promises or offering something in return. For example, a person may pray, perform acts of kindness, or vow to change their behavior in exchange for the chance of recovery or remission. This stage often involves feelings of guilt, where the person may feel that if they had lived differently, their current situation could have been avoided. Victoria’s prayer and commitment to becoming a “model Christian” are part of this psychological process, attempting to negotiate with a higher power in an effort to gain more time or a cure.
In contrast, the other stages of grief are different responses. Denial is when a person refuses to accept the reality of their condition or loss. Anger often follows denial, where individuals may feel resentful or frustrated with the situation. Depression is marked by deep sadness and sorrow as the individual comes to terms with their loss.
Ultimately, bargaining is a phase of psychological adjustment where individuals seek ways to change their fate or gain more time by offering something in return.