Sigmund Freud was the pioneer of which of the following models of psychopathology?

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2018

Explanation

Sigmund Freud is the founder of psychoanalysis, the theory that forms the bedrock of the psychodynamic model of psychopathology.
This model posits that human behavior, thoughts, and emotions are significantly influenced by unconscious mental processes.
Key concepts central to this model include the influence of early childhood experiences, the existence of instinctual drives (libido), and the structural components of the mind: the id, ego, and superego.
Freud also introduced the concept of defense mechanisms, which are unconscious strategies the ego uses to protect itself from anxiety.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

Option A: The Behaviourist model was pioneered by figures like John B. Watson, B.F. Skinner, and Ivan Pavlov, not Sigmund Freud.
Option B: The Cognitive model is primarily associated with Aaron Beck and Albert Ellis. It focuses on how thoughts, beliefs, and cognitive distortions influence emotions and behaviors.
Option D: The Humanistic model was developed by theorists like Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow. It emphasizes personal growth, free will, and self-actualization.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Pioneers of Psychological Models as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding psychodynamic concepts, especially defense mechanisms (e.g., denial, projection, displacement), helps nurses interpret patient behaviors that might otherwise seem irrational or difficult.
This knowledge allows nurses to provide more empathetic care by recognizing that a patient's anger might be displaced from their diagnosis onto the healthcare staff, rather than being a personal attack.
What if? If a patient consistently misses appointments after a serious diagnosis, a nurse applying a psychodynamic lens might suspect the use of 'denial' as a defense mechanism, rather than simply labeling the patient as non-compliant. This would prompt a supportive conversation about their feelings regarding the diagnosis.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key figure named in the question stem, which is 'Sigmund Freud'.
This is a factual recall question that requires you to access your knowledge of the major schools of thought in psychology.
Associate Sigmund Freud with his primary and most famous contribution: the theory of psychoanalysis.
Scan the options to find the model that is directly based on or synonymous with psychoanalysis. 'Psychodynamic' is the correct term.
To confirm your answer, mentally eliminate the other options by recalling their respective pioneers (e.g., Behaviourism with Skinner/Watson, Cognitive with Beck/Ellis, Humanistic with Maslow/Rogers).

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Pioneers of Psychological Models
Stem keywords: Sigmund Freud, pioneer, model of psychopathology
Lead-in keywords: which of the following
Negative lead-in flag: false

Question ID

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Reference Book

E6 Kaplan Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry-2022 (pp 1-3768 of 3768) p. 3313-3315

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) p. 2968-2970

E6 Guide to Mental Health & PSYCHIATRIC NURSING R Sreevani— Part 1 (pp 26-289 of 579) p. 74-76

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