In psychology, what term describes a person's ability to modify behav…

In psychology, what term describes a person's ability to modify behaviour in response to changing environmental requirements?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 4

The correct answer is Option (2) → Adaptation

Option	Reason
Option (1): Flexibility. Incorrect.	Flexibility is an everyday word for a quality of bending or changing easily. In ordinary speech it names a general personal trait, and it is used loosely, as a plain description.
Option (2): Adaptation. Correct.	Adaptation is the person's ability to modify behaviour to meet changing environmental requirements. Failures in adaptation lie behind much unhappiness, anxiety and unrealised potential.
Option (3): Deviance. Incorrect.	Deviance is behaviour that is different, extreme, unusual, even bizarre. It is one of the 'four Ds' used to describe psychological disorders.
Option (4): Maladaptation. Incorrect.	Maladaptive behaviour is behaviour that cannot be modified to the needs of the situation. Abnormal psychology studies it, with its causes, consequences and treatment.

NCERT (2026-27): “CONCEPTS OF ABNORMALITY AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS …
The study of psychological disorders has intrigued and mystified all cultures for more than 2,500 years. Psychological disorders or mental disorders (as they are commonly referred to), like anything unusual may make us uncomfortable and even a little frightened. Unhappiness, discomfort, anxiety, and unrealised potential are seen all over the world. These failures in living are mainly due to failures in adaptation to life challenges. As you must have studied in the previous chapters, adaptation refers to the person’s ability to modify her/his behaviour in response to changing environmental requirements. When the behaviour cannot be modified according to the needs of the situation, it is said to be maladaptive. Abnormal Psychology is the area within psychology that is focused on maladaptive behaviour – its causes, consequences, and treatment.”

In psychology, what term describes a person's ability to modify behaviour in response to changing environmental requirements?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 4

The correct answer is Option (2) → Adaptation

Option	Reason
Option (1): Flexibility. Incorrect.	Flexibility is an everyday word for a quality of bending or changing easily. In ordinary speech it names a general personal trait, and it is used loosely, as a plain description.
Option (2): Adaptation. Correct.	Adaptation is the person's ability to modify behaviour to meet changing environmental requirements. Failures in adaptation lie behind much unhappiness, anxiety and unrealised potential.
Option (3): Deviance. Incorrect.	Deviance is behaviour that is different, extreme, unusual, even bizarre. It is one of the 'four Ds' used to describe psychological disorders.
Option (4): Maladaptation. Incorrect.	Maladaptive behaviour is behaviour that cannot be modified to the needs of the situation. Abnormal psychology studies it, with its causes, consequences and treatment.