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.
Ritu wants to read about the field within psychology that studies the kind of behaviour the young man shows, along with its causes, consequences and treatment. Which field is this?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Abnormal Psychology
Option (1) Health Psychology — Incorrect. Health Psychology looks at how stress, habits and lifestyle affect physical health.
Option (2) Abnormal Psychology — Correct. Abnormal Psychology studies maladaptive behaviour, its causes, consequences and treatment. The young man cannot change his ways to suit his new work, which is the kind of behaviour this field studies.
Option (3) Social Psychology — Incorrect. Social Psychology studies how people think, feel and act in the presence of others, such as attitudes and group behaviour.
Option (4) Positive Psychology — Incorrect. Positive Psychology studies strengths and well-being, such as hope and happiness. It looks at what goes right.
NCERT (2026-27): “CONCEPTS OF ABNORMALITY AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS … |