Stress Diathesis Model

Question 1

what does it help explain?

Answer 1

the stress caused by life events can interact with an individuals genetic vulnerability.

Question 2

What does diathesis mean?

Answer 2

Some individuals are born with certain biological or genetic vulnerability to mental illness

Question 3

Genetic predisposition to a psychological disorder…

Answer 3

may never develop the disorder if they do not experience stress

Question 4

What could high levels of stress trigger?

Answer 4

The onset of mental illness for those with a predisposition.

Question 5

What are the criticisms of the theory?

Answer 5

• doesn’t give any answers as to whether development throughout the lifespan is down to nature or nurture
• more useful to assume that both nature and nurture interact to influence an individuals behaviour