Which of the following statements about the prevalence of psychopathology is true?

• A. Psychological disorders are extremely rare and affect less than 1% of the population.
• B. Most psychological disorders are only found in children and rarely occur in adults.
• C. A significant proportion of people will experience a psychological disorder at some point in their lives.
• D. The prevalence of psychological disorders is the same in every country and culture.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the term 'prevalence' in the context of psychopathology, which refers to the proportion of individuals in a population who have a psychological disorder at a given time or over a lifetime.
2. Recognize that psychological disorders are relatively common and that epidemiological studies show a significant portion of the population experiences some form of psychological disorder during their lifetime.
3. Evaluate each statement by comparing it to established research findings: the first statement underestimates prevalence, the second incorrectly limits disorders to children, and the fourth ignores cultural and regional variations.
4. Identify that the third statement aligns with research indicating that many people will experience a psychological disorder at some point, making it the most accurate among the options.
5. Conclude that understanding prevalence helps in appreciating the widespread nature of psychological disorders and the importance of mental health awareness and treatment.