Ritu, a Class 12 student in Pune, talks to three people for a class activity. Her neighbour describes a young man in the colony whose office moved to a new system of work. Months later, he still follows his old routine and cannot change his ways to suit what the new set-up asks of him. A family friend says that people call a woman nearby 'mad' only because her way of dressing and behaving is unlike that of other women in the colony. Ritu also learns that the young man's family knows a psychologist could help him, yet they will not visit one. They believe the neighbours would think less of the whole family.
The young man cannot change his behaviour to meet what his new situation requires. Which term names such behaviour?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Maladaptive
Option (1) Deviant — Incorrect. Deviant means different, extreme or unusual compared with others. The young man is not described as odd; his problem is that he cannot adjust.
Option (2) Distressing — Incorrect. Distressing means unpleasant and upsetting to the person and to others. The passage says nothing about him or others being upset.
Option (3) Dangerous — Incorrect. Dangerous means a risk of harm to the person or to others. Nothing in the passage shows any harm or threat.
Option (4) Maladaptive — Correct. Behaviour that cannot be modified according to the needs of the situation is maladaptive. Adaptation is the ability to change behaviour as the surroundings change, and he lacks it at work.
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