Question:medium

Which model emphasises that 'psychological disorders are the result of learning maladaptive ways of behaving'?

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Associate a keyword with each model's explanation of disorders: Psychodynamic → Unconscious conflict. Behavioural → Learned behavior. Cognitive → Faulty thinking. Humanistic → Blocked growth.
Updated On: Jan 16, 2026
  • Psychodynamic model
  • Behavioural model
  • Cognitive model
  • Humanistic-existential model
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Conceptual Overview:
Various psychological frameworks propose distinct etiologies for psychological disorders.

Psychodynamic Perspective (Freud): Centers on unconscious conflicts, repressed desires, and early life experiences.
Behavioral Perspective (Watson, Skinner): Highlights observable actions, positing that all behaviors, whether adaptive or maladaptive, are acquired through learning processes such as classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and observational learning.
Cognitive Perspective (Beck, Ellis): Focuses on the causal link between irrational or distorted thought patterns, beliefs, and attitudes, and psychological distress.
Humanistic-Existential Perspective (Rogers, Maslow): Stresses the significance of individual choices, accountability, and the pursuit of meaning. Disorders manifest when an individual's innate capacity for growth is obstructed.
Step 2: In-depth Analysis:
The core concept in the inquiry is "acquisition of maladaptive behavioral patterns." This principle is fundamental to the behavioral model. For instance, this model would attribute a phobia to a learned fear response via classical conditioning. It conceptualizes psychological disorders not as illnesses, but as learned behaviors amenable to unlearning.
Step 3: Conclusive Determination:
The model that emphasizes the acquisition of maladaptive behaviors is the Behavioral model.
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