Which one of the following can create problems in building interpersonal relationship?

The correct answer is A) Shyness. Shyness is excessive self-consciousness that makes a person hold back, avoid starting conversations, and fail to voice needs or opinions. Relationships depend on two-way exchange, so this withdrawal blocks the very process that builds trust and familiarity.

Why the others are not the answer:

• Emotional maturity means regulating emotions and responding calmly, which helps relationships rather than harming them.
• Assertiveness means stating your views clearly and respectfully without aggression. It builds clarity and trust. Do not confuse it with aggression, which is a different trait.
• Empathy means understanding another person's perspective and is a core interpersonal skill.

The core concept is emotional intelligence, the ability to recognise and manage one's own emotions and to understand others. This links directly to the Ethics paper (GS IV), where the attitude and emotional intelligence topics often appear in case studies on workplace relations and public service dealings.

Trap: Many aspirants pick Assertiveness or Emotional maturity because they sound like positive traits and then reason backwards. Read the question for the negative: which trait creates problems.