adjustments and maladjustments

PERSONALITYADJUSTMENTS AND MALADJUSTMENTS

ADJUSTMENTS AND MALADJUSTMENTS

AdjustmentDefinition; L.S. ShafferAdjustment is the process by which living organism maintains a balance between its need and the circumstances that influence the satisfaction of these needs.


Conflicts and Adjustments

There are three types broad types of adjustive process when a conflict arises between a persons internal need and environmental demands.


Conflicts and Adjustments Adjustive processes1. Modify or inhibit the internal impulse2. Try to alter the environmental demands to resolve the conflict3. Escape through unconscious resources by mental mechanisms (defence mechanisms)


Social adjustmentIt refers to ones adjustment to his social surroundings. It is as essential as ones adjustment with himself of herself.A socially adjusted person can get along with others.


Social adjustmentOnes social adjustment starts from his parents and it continues with siblings,Family members,Members in the neighbourhood,Friends, classmates, colleagues etc.It is essential for his own welfare and of the society.


Methods of adjustmentMethods of adjustment can be grouped into two as

Direct method and Indirect method

Direct methodDirect methods are employed by the individual intentionally at the conscious levelThey are rational and logicalThey help to find a permanent solution for the problem faced by the individual

Indirect methodIndirect methods are those methods by which an individual tries to seek temporary solution to protect him from a psychological problem.These are known as defence mechanisms


Defence mechanismsDefinition: ArkoffCertain patterns of behaviour that are employed for protection against threat or anxiety are called defence mechanisms or adjustment mechanisms.


Defence mechanismsSometimes they are referred to as ego defence mechanisms, since they serve to defend the ego or the self from the threat.


Defence MechanismsRepressionRegressionCompensationRationalizationProjectionIdentification


Defence MechanismsReaction formationSublimationAggressionDay dreaming

Defence MechanismsRepression It is a mechanism in which painful experiences, conflicts and unfulfilled desires are pushed unconsciously into our unconscious. Eg., forgetting unconsciously a broken love affair

Defence MechanismsRepression

One unconsciously forget the tension producing situationTries to get temporary relief believing that the tension producing situation does not exist any more

Defence Mechanisms Regression It is going backward or returning to the past. In this process an individual tends to regress to his early childhood or infantile responses in order to save himself from mental conflicts and tensionsA man with broken love affair starts to love dolls or indulge in childish behaviours

Defence Mechanisms Compensation It is a mechanism by which an individual tries to balance his deficiency in one field by exhibiting his strength in another field.E.g. Napoleon was a dwarf. He became an emperor.Weakness in learning is compensated by trying to be selected for playing in major teams

Defence Mechanisms RationalizationIt is a defence mechanism by which a person justifies his unjustifiable behaviour. He gives socially acceptable excuses for it and attempts to defend himself.E.g. A child blames teacher or parents for his failure

Defence Mechanisms ProjectionIt is a defence mechanism through which one tries to attribute his or her inferior impulses or traits in other persons or objects.E.g. A person who is a liar criticizes others for lying.A person with immoral behaviour exaggerates the immoral behaviour of others.

Defence Mechanisms Identification In this mechanism one finds satisfaction by recognizing himself or herself as a member associated with other successful individuals, group or institution.E.g. An individual who failed in an examination tries to find satisfaction by praising the standard of the school where he studied.

Defence Mechanisms IdentificationE.g. Hero worship to conceal ones weaknesses and find satisfaction in the success of the hero.

Defence MechanismsReaction formationIt is a defence mechanism by which one conceals his or her natural impulses which he finds threatening to his existence or peace of mind and behaves just opposite to his natural impulses.

Defence MechanismsReaction formationE.g. A mother who doesnt like her child due to its deformity shows more love towards the child by taking care of it to over come her dislike.

Defence MechanismsSublimationIt is one of the most significant and socially accepted defence mechanism.In this mechanism one channelizes his or her repressed and unattained wishes, impulses, drives and emotions in socially accepted ways.

Defence MechanismsSublimationE.g. Poets write elegy on the death of their dear ones. One who fails in love affair gets involved in some noble and voluntary services in order to get rid of the bad effects of his emotions.

Defence MechanismsAggressionIt refers to expression of ones angry behaviour through verbal dialogues or physical attacks or through both. One uses this as defence mechanism when he fails to deal effectively with other persons, situations and problems.

Aggression

When it is used as defence mechanism one can deal effectively for the time being with other persons, situations and problems even though it will follow negative consequences later.It is a behaviour directed towards the goal of harming another living being.

Teachers role to reduce aggression among students.

Present oneself before them as a non aggressive model.Comfort the victims and ignore aggressors.Discuss the effects of aggression on other peoples feeling.Discuss the right to equality among students.Set up projects that encourage co-operation.

Teachers role to reduce aggression among students.

Teach students to negotiate when there is a conflict. Convince the students that they do not benefit or profit from aggression.

Fantasy or Day dreaming

It is a kind of withdrawal of ones self from threatening realities into his or her private and satisfying world of imaginationAn individual may turn to daydreaming or fantasy when his life is uninteresting and frustrating for him.

Fantasy or Day dreaming

It permits him to escape to a dream world where he is able to achieve what ever he desires in his imagination.


MaladjustmentsIt represents a condition or state in which one feels that his needs are not fulfilled and/or will not be fulfilled and he has been a failure in establishing harmony with his self and the environment

MALADJUSTMENTS

The maladjusted person may exhibit serious behavioural and adjustment problems causing harm to the wellbeing of himself and othersOne remain adjusted when his physical and psychological needs are satisfied. When his needs are not satisfied he may become maladjusted.

MALADJUSTMENTSCauses of Maladjustment

It can be classified into two1. Personal2. Environmental

MALADJUSTMENTSPersonal CausesHereditary factorsDefective mental makeupStructure of bodyColour of skinConstitutional defects

MALADJUSTMENTSPersonal CausesPhysiological and physical factorsPoor healthLack of vitalityPhysical deformityChronic diseasesBodily defects

MALADJUSTMENTSPersonal CausesNature of the individual1. Unrealistic aims and goals2.Lack of social maturity3.Lack of emotional maturity4.Frustrations and desperations

MALADJUSTMENTSPersonal CausesNature of the individual5.improper setting of level of aspiration6.Unresolved conflicts and contradictory desires

MALADJUSTMENTSEnvironmental Causes1. Improper behaviour of parents and elders towards the child2. Uncongenial and defective home environment

MALADJUSTMENTSEnvironmental Causes3. Defective social and cultural setup of the environment 4. Uncongenial and defective school environment


Role of Teachers Ensure balanced growth and developmentProvide opportunities for satisfaction of basic needsMake them aware of their strength and weaknessInspire them to set a goal in life


Role of Teachers Develop tolerance to face tensed situationsHelp them to realize the importance of satisfying the demands of society and cultureProvide healthy environmentOffer guidance and counselling as and when needed

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adjustments and maladjustments

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adjustment mechanisms

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ones adjustment

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maladjustments conflicts

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