Which model emphasises that 'psychological disorders are the result of learning maladaptive ways of behaving'?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Behavioural model
Option (1) Psychodynamic model — Incorrect. First formulated by Freud, it sees abnormal symptoms as the result of conflicts between unconscious psychological forces, usually traced to early childhood. It speaks of inner conflict, not of learning.
Option (2) Behavioural model — Correct. This model states that both normal and abnormal behaviours are learned, and that psychological disorders are the result of learning maladaptive ways of behaving through classical conditioning, operant conditioning or social learning. What has been learned can therefore be unlearned.
Option (3) Cognitive model — Incorrect. It traces abnormal functioning to cognitive problems: irrational and inaccurate assumptions about oneself, illogical thinking and overgeneralisation from a single insignificant event.
Option (4) Humanistic-existential model — Incorrect. It focuses on broader aspects of human existence: the natural drive to self-actualise and the freedom to give meaning to one’s life. Those who shirk this responsibility live empty, dysfunctional lives.
NCERT (2025-26): “Factors Underlying Abnormal Behaviour … This model was first formulated by Freud who believed that three central forces shape personality — instinctual needs, drives and impulses (id), rational thinking (ego), and moral standards (superego). Freud stated that abnormal behaviour is a symbolic expression of unconscious mental conflicts that can be generally traced to early childhood or infancy. Another model that emphasises the role of psychological factors is the behavioural model. This model states that both normal and abnormal behaviours are learned and psychological disorders are the result of learning maladaptive ways of behaving. The model concentrates on behaviours that are learned through conditioning and proposes that what has been learned can be unlearned. Learning can take place by classical conditioning (temporal association in which two events repeatedly occur close together in time), operant conditioning (behaviour is followed by a reward), and social learning (learning by imitating others’ behaviour). These three types of conditioning account for behaviour, whether adaptive or maladaptive.…” “…Psychological factors are also emphasised by the cognitive model. This model states that abnormal functioning can result from cognitive problems. People may hold assumptions and attitudes about themselves that are irrational and inaccurate. People may also repeatedly think in illogical ways and make overgeneralisations, that is, they may draw broad, negative conclusions on the basis of a single insignificant event. Another psychological model is the humanistic-existential model which focuses on broader aspects of human existence. Humanists believe that human beings are born with a natural tendency to be friendly, cooperative and constructive, and are driven to self-actualise, i.e. to fulfil this potential for goodness and growth. Existentialists believe that from birth we have total freedom to give meaning to our existence or to avoid that responsibility. Those who shirk from this responsibility would live empty, inauthentic, and dysfunctional lives.…” |