According to the diathesis-stress model, which of the following best explains the development of psychological disorders?

• A. Only exposure to significant life stressors leads to psychological disorders, regardless of individual differences.
• B. Psychological disorders are caused solely by genetic inheritance, regardless of environmental factors.
• C. Psychological disorders are entirely the result of learned behaviors from one's environment.
• D. A predisposition or vulnerability interacts with environmental stressors to increase the likelihood of developing a disorder.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the diathesis-stress model as a framework that explains psychological disorders as the result of an interaction between a predispositional vulnerability (diathesis) and environmental stressors.
2. Recognize that the 'diathesis' refers to an individual's genetic, biological, or psychological vulnerability to developing a disorder.
3. Identify that 'stress' refers to external environmental factors or life events that can trigger the onset of a disorder when combined with the diathesis.
4. Analyze how neither genetic predisposition nor environmental stress alone is sufficient to cause a disorder; rather, it is their interaction that increases the likelihood of development.
5. Conclude that the best explanation for the development of psychological disorders according to this model is that a predisposition or vulnerability interacts with environmental stressors to increase the risk of developing a disorder.