Adaptive behavior is a complex of human psychoemotional reactions aimed at getting used to certain living conditions. Sometimes this can take a lot of time. In some cases, a person has to significantly struggle with himself, resort to a compromise, and learn new ways of interaction. Adaptive behavior refers to the number of such manifestations of personality that it has the ability to independently choose.
Each individual has his own mechanisms for adapting to a specific situation. In most cases, a problem can always be resolved.
Forms
The formation of adaptive behavior usually occurs in childhood. It is at a young age that we learn to build constructive communication. If there are any complications, then they also have to deal with. So the child learns to adapt to changing living conditions. In adulthood, the individual strengthens and expands his capabilities, but very often continues to rely heavily on past experience. Adaptive forms of behavior allow you to adapt as painlessly as possible to the surrounding reality, no matter how frightening it may seem. Let's consider them in more detail.
Formal external fixture
It occurs when the individual is unable to directly express his disturbing feelings. Sometimes such decisions are influenced by internal fears, inability to defend one’s interests.
For this reason, he begins to diligently pretend that he agrees with the majority, while he still keeps his own opinion to himself. A formal-external adaptation is very common in large groups, where the likelihood of conflict is very high.
Situational agreement
This form of adaptive behavior is formed when it becomes necessary to show solidarity with someone. It arises on the basis of a specific situation and does not affect a large period of time. Just at a certain moment, a person realizes that it becomes much more profitable for him to agree with something than to prove his innocence.
When we understand that initially the advantages are not on our side, it is wiser to completely abandon the struggle.
Useful associations
It is about starting to consciously look for similarities between themselves and the collective in which they are forced to be. Most people simply force themselves to do this, because otherwise they will have to fight depression. A person begins to resort to useful associations for the sole purpose of facilitating his own experiences. When we understand that we are somewhat similar to our boss, it becomes easier in the future to build a process of harmonious communication with him. In this case, even resentment becomes something superfluous.
Types
Adaptive behavior can actually be expressed differently. The fact is that all people, finding themselves in new and unpleasant conditions for themselves, begin to look for those patterns of behavior that would not contradict their inner essence. No one ever acts the same just because it’s accepted. Everyone chooses according to their own situational benefits. It is noteworthy that we do not always realize that we thereby adapt to those around us, and do not defend individual interest. Let us consider in more detail the common types of such adaptive behavior.
Escape from the negative impact
Any unpleasant irritant is the effect of additional stress. That is how it is perceived by most people, and not at all as an opportunity to increase their self-esteem. Therefore, if something greatly scares and disturbs, there is a need to free oneself from the source of irritation. When we have no idea how to solve a complex problem, we prefer to mentally abandon any action. This reduces the level of anxiety.
Unquestioning submission
This is a passive way to get rid of severe internal discomfort. You just need to try to shift the responsibility from yourself to someone else. Adaptive behavior helps to overcome a state of powerlessness and mental depression.
At the same time, a person may for a long time disagree with the situation, accumulate anger and irritation in himself. This behavior cannot be called constructive, but many people resort to it.
Active opposition
Some people cannot imagine how to disagree silently. If possible, they prefer to act openly, to seek ways to effectively resolve the situation. Active opposition implies that a person has a certain courage and wants to make decisions independently. Sometimes, against this background, the conflict grows even more, but the individual comes into a state of inner satisfaction.
Instead of a conclusion
Thus, all types of adaptive behavior are always a protective reaction of the psyche. It regulates the state of our mental well-being. Any addiction is necessary in order to adapt to certain external circumstances, to develop specific ways of interacting with others according to the situation that has arisen.
If people did not know how to adapt to the changing conditions of existence, they would not be able to understand how they should continue to live and build relationships in the team, with relatives, friends and acquaintances.