CBSE Class 12 Psychology Adaptation and Adjustment

UNIT 3

3.1 Adaptation and Adjustment

Adaptation

We always face different kinds of challenges in our life. The difficult circumstances, problems and obstacles often block our path leading towards the chosen life goals. Fortunately we also have the capacity to face the challenges and overcome them, both by means of in-built tendencies as well as learned behaviours –which enable to adapt to diverse situations. The term adaptation refers to the process of change in organisms or species to accommodate a particular environment. We try to change ourselves according to the demands of the circumstances. For instance we put on warm clothes during winter and work hard when if the work demands. This enables our survival. Adaptation is crucial to the process of natural selection.

Ethologists, scientists who study the behaviours of animals in their natural habitats have documented two main patterns of adaptive behaviours. Some behaviours, known as "closed programs," get transmitted from one generation to the next relatively unchanged. Other behaviours known as "open genetic programs" are susceptible to greater degree of environmental influence. Adaptation occurs in individual organisms as well as in species. Sensory adaptation consists of physiological changes that occur in response to the presence or cessation of stimuli. We also adapt to environmental and social circumstances.

Adjustment

In psychology, the behavioural process by which humans and other animals maintain a state of equilibrium among their various needs or between their needs and the obstacles of their environments is called adjustment. A sequence of adjustment begins when a need is felt and ends when it is satisfied. Hungry people, for example, are stimulated by their physiological state to seek food. When they eat, they reduce the stimulating condition that impelled them to activity, and they are thereby adjusted to this particular need.

In general, the adjustment process has four parts:

(1) a need or motive in the form of a strong persistent stimulus,

(2) the thwarting or non-fulfillment of this need,

(3) varied activity, or exploratory behaviour accompanied by problem solving, and

(4) some response that removes or at least reduces the initiating stimulus that brings satisfaction and completes the process of adjustment, at least temporarily.

It may be noted that adjustments also take place in social and cultural domains. Such adjustments are quite similar to the process of physiological adjustment. People strive to be comfortable in their surroundings and to have their psychological needs (such as love or affirmation) met through the social networks they inhabit. When needs arise, especially in new or changed surroundings, they impel interpersonal activity meant to satisfy those needs. In this way, people increase their familiarity and comfort with their environments, and they come to expect that their needs will be met in the future through their social networks. Ongoing difficulties in social and cultural adjustment may be accompanied by anxiety or depression.

3.2 Human Strengths and Virtues

In recent years psychologists have shown increasing interest in understanding what makes life good and meaningful. This development is termed as positive psychology. Positive psychology systematically investigates the positive aspects i.e. the strengths and virtues of human beings. They are central to the life sustaining processes of helping, altruism, cooperation, learning etc. A group of leading psychologists have tried to define the universal ‘human strengths’. The strengths and virtues enable individuals and communities to thrive. Positive psychologists seek "to find and nurture genius and talent," and "to make normal  life more fulfilling, not to cure mental illness.” Martin Seligman has provided leadership to the movement of positive psychology.

The positive psychologists researched around 200 texts drawn from various traditions including gret thinkers and texts like Aristotle, Plato, Aquinas, St.Augustine, Old Testament, the Talmud, Confucius, Buddha, Lao-Tze, Bushido (the samurai code), the Koran, and the Upanishads. As a result they were able to identify a core set of human virtues shared by these traditions. These include Wisdom and Knowledge, Courage,Love and Humanity, Justice, Temperance, and Spirituality and transcendence. In addition they identified a range of ‘strengths’ – personal characteristics or behaviours by which these virtues can be attained. These 24 strengths are as follows:

Wisdom and Knowledge

1. Curiosity / Interest in the world: An openness to experience; flexibility about things that don’t fit your preconceptions.

2. Love of Learning: Taking pleasure in learning new things; taking every opportunity to expand your knowledge and expertise.

3. Judgment / Critical Thinking / Open-Mindedness: Thinking things through and examining them from all sides; not jumping to conclusions; being objective.

4. Ingenuity / Originality / Practical Intelligence : Finding new and practical ways of achieving results; creativity; ‘street wisdom’.

5. Social Intelligence / Personal Intelligence / Emotional Intelligence : Understanding your own and others’ motives and feelings; acting in socially effective ways. 

6. Perspective: Able to adopt the ‘big picture’ so as to act wisely; good at problem-solving and giving advice. Courage

7. Valour and Bravery: Willing to confront challenges and difficulty; prepared to adopt unpopular or dangerous positions.

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