Which of the following statements about the causes of mental illness is NOT true?

• A. Mental illness is always caused by a single factor, such as genetics.
• B. Biological, psychological, and social factors can all contribute to the development of mental illness.
• C. Stressful life events may increase the risk of developing certain mental disorders.
• D. Some mental illnesses have a hereditary component that can increase vulnerability.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the question is asking to identify the statement that is NOT true about the causes of mental illness.
2. Step 2: Review each statement carefully, considering what is known from psychological research about mental illness causes.
3. Step 3: Recognize that mental illness is generally understood to be caused by multiple factors, including biological, psychological, and social influences, rather than a single cause.
4. Step 4: Note that statements about biological, psychological, and social factors contributing, stressful life events increasing risk, and hereditary components increasing vulnerability are all supported by research.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the statement claiming mental illness is always caused by a single factor, such as genetics, is NOT true because it oversimplifies the complex causes of mental illness.