Adjustment | Coping, Stress, Adaptation (2024)

psychology

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adjustment, in psychology, the behavioral process by which humans and other animals maintain an equilibrium among their various needs or between their needs and the obstacles of their environments. 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 involves four parts: (1) a need or motive in the form of a strong persistent stimulus, (2) the thwarting or nonfulfillment 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 and completes the adjustment.

Adjustment | Coping, Stress, Adaptation (1)

More From Britannica

mental disorder: Adjustment disorders

Social and cultural adjustments are similar to physiological adjustments. 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.

Adjustment | Coping, Stress, Adaptation (2024)

FAQs

What are the 4 A's of stress management? ›

When your stress level exceeds your ability to cope, you need to restore the balance by reducing the stressors or increasing your ability to cope or both. Try using one of the four A's: avoid, alter, accept or adapt.

What are some adaptive stress responses? ›

Other examples of adaptive coping skills are by solving the problem, using humor, taking a break or pausing before reacting, or even just being mindful in the moment. All of these are examples of things we can do that don't make the event worse. We aren't harming anyone else, nor ourselves, by using these skills.

What are the 5 A's of stress management? ›

“5 A's” to help manage stress
  • Avoid. Some types of stress are unavoidable, such as stress-induced by death, disease, or an accident. ...
  • Alter. Stress may be caused by situations that you usually address as your daily routine. ...
  • Adapt. Recognize that things happen, plans alter, and emergencies occur. ...
  • Accept. ...
  • Active.

What is the adaptation of the stress response? ›

Adaptive stress response. Stress responses are mechanisms to adapt to and to overcome stress stimuli. Through them, the cells can restore stress-damaged structures or trigger cell death.

What are the 4 parts of the stress process? ›

The stress process consists of four stages: (1) a demand (which can be physical, psychological, or cognitive); (2) appraisal of the demand and of the available resources and capability to deal with the demand; (3) a negative response to the cognitive appraisal of the demand and the resources with various levels of ...

What is the 4 step process for managing stress? ›

Fortunately, there are 4 steps to help reduce stress and cope with the inevitable stressors of everyday life:
  • Avoid. Believe it or not, it is possible to escape some of the minor stressors that tend to trouble people: ...
  • Alter. Communicate clearly and let people know your expectations. ...
  • Accept. ...
  • Adapt.
Mar 8, 2021

What is an example of an adaptive response? ›

Allergic conditions such as hayfever and asthma are examples of deleterious adaptive immune responses against apparently harmless foreign molecules.

What are 5 examples of stress responses? ›

Common Stress Reactions A Self-Assessment
  • Change in activity levels.
  • Decreased efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Difficulty communicating.
  • Increased sense of humor/gallows humor.
  • Irritability, outbursts of anger, frequent arguments.
  • Inability to rest, relax, or let down.
  • Change in eating habits.
  • Change in sleep patterns.

What are the 3 main types of responses to stress? ›

It's important to distinguish among three kinds of responses to stress: positive, tolerable, and toxic.

What are the 5 C's of stress? ›

The 5Cs are competence, confidence, character, caring, and connection. The anxiety dimensions are Social anxiety, Physical symptoms, Separation anxiety, and Harm avoidance.

What are the 3 C's of stress? ›

Kobasa introduced the concept of psychological hardiness and suggested that hardiness moderates the relationship between stressful life events and illness. Kobasa characterized hardiness as comprising of three components or the 3C's: Commitment, Control, and Challenge.

What are the 4 D's of stress management? ›

The 4Ds of Dealing With Distress - Distract, Dilute, Develop, and Discover: An Ultra-Brief Intervention for Occupational and Academic Stress.

What are the stages of stress adaptation? ›

The general adaptation syndrome (GAS) was first proposed by Hans Selye in his classic 1936 letter to the editor of Nature. The GAS consisted of three phases: (i) the alarm phase, (ii) the phase of adaptation, and (iii) the phase of exhaustion.

What is the summary of stress adaptation? ›

Summary. General adaptation syndrome (GAS) describes the process your body goes through when you are exposed to any kind of stress, positive or negative. It has three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. If you do not resolve the stress that has triggered GAS, it can lead to physical and mental health problems.

What is adaptation responses? ›

Adaptation refers to adjustments in ecological, social or economic systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli and their effects. It refers to changes in processes, practices and structures to moderate potential damages or to benefit from opportunities associated with climate change.

What are the 4 techniques to manage stress? ›

Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate. Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals. Exercise regularly. Get plenty of sleep.

What is the 4 A model of stress? ›

The four A's of stress management are to avoid, alter, accept and adapt.

What are the four A's in psychology? ›

The fundamental symptoms, which are virtually present through all the course of the disorder (7), are also known as the famous Bleuler's four A's: Alogia, Autism, Ambivalence, and Affect blunting (8).

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