Identify the statements related to the Diathesis-Stress Model.
(A) The first component is the diathesis or the presence of some biological aberration which may be inherited.
(B) Abnormal functioning can result from cognitive problems.
(C) The diathesis may carry a vulnerability to develop a psychological disorder.
(D) If such "at risk" persons are exposed to pathogenic stressors, their predisposition may evolve into a disorder
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → (A), (C) and (D) only
The diathesis-stress model says that psychological disorders develop when a diathesis (a biological predisposition to the disorder) is set off by a stressful situation. The model has three components, and the statements are checked against them.
(A) The first component is the diathesis or the presence of some biological aberration which may be inherited. Correct. This is the model’s first component: some biological aberration, possibly inherited, is present in the person.
(B) Abnormal functioning can result from cognitive problems. Incorrect. This is the claim of the cognitive model, which says that people may hold assumptions and attitudes about themselves that are irrational and inaccurate, and think in illogical ways. The diathesis-stress model speaks of a biological predisposition and stressors, not of faulty thinking.
(C) The diathesis may carry a vulnerability to develop a psychological disorder. Correct. This is the second component: because of the diathesis the person is ‘at risk’ or ‘predisposed’ to develop the disorder.
(D) If such “at risk” persons are exposed to pathogenic stressors, their predisposition may evolve into a disorder Correct. The third component is the presence of pathogenic stressors, factors that may lead to psychopathology. Only when an at-risk person meets such stressors does the predisposition actually become a disorder.
NCERT (2025-26): “Factors Underlying Abnormal Behaviour … one of the most widely accepted explanations of abnormal behaviour has been provided by the diathesis-stress model. This model states that psychological disorders develop when a diathesis (biological predisposition to the disorder) is set off by a stressful situation. This model has three components. The first is the diathesis or the presence of some biological aberration which may be inherited. The second component is that the diathesis may carry a vulnerability to develop a psychological disorder. This means that the person is ‘at risk’ or ‘predisposed’ to develop the disorder. The third component is the presence of pathogenic stressors, i.e. factors/ stressors that may lead to psychopathology. If such ‘at risk’ persons are exposed to these stressors, their predisposition may actually evolve into a disorder.…” “Factors Underlying Abnormal Behaviour … 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.…” |