Question

Which of the following statements is true about the diathesis-stress model?

1. Presence of some biological aberration which may be inherited
2. Physiological disorders develop due to combination of psychological predisposition and stressors.
3. Diathesis may carry vulnerability to develop a psychological disorder.
4. Absence of pathogenic stressors that may lead to psychopathology.

Options

• Only (i) is true.

• (i) and (iii) are true

• Only (iii) is true

• (ii) and (iv) are true

Answer 1

(i) and (iii) are true.

Explanation:

According to the diathesis stress concept, the development of psychological diseases is caused by the interplay of biological or genetic vulnerabilities (diathesis) and environmental stressors.

Statements (i) and (iii) are accurate, as the model shows that having a bodily abnormality like a genetic predisposition or a disease may increase a person's vulnerability to acquiring a psychological problem.

Statements (ii) and (iv) are false because the diathesis stress model proposes that psychological disorders, not physiological disorders, emerge due to a combination of psychological predisposition and stressors. According to this model, the presence of pathogenic stresses might contribute to the development of psychopathology.