Maladaptation Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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maladaptation

[ˌmælˌædæpˈteɪʃən ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

psychology

A maladaptation refers to an ineffective or counterproductive response to a stressor or new situation. It can hinder an individual's ability to adjust and thrive in their environment.

Synonyms

dysfunction, maladjustment, malfunction.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
maladaptation	Use this word when referring to a process or behavior that was supposed to be an adaptation to a particular environment but is actually harmful or ineffective. The animal's response to the new environment was more of a maladaptation than an advantage Over time, her maladaptation to stress only worsened her condition
dysfunction	This word is appropriate when talking about a situation where something is not functioning correctly or as expected, often with a medical or organizational connotation. The committee faced significant dysfunction, leading to many unmet deadlines His severe liver dysfunction required immediate medical attention
maladjustment	This term is best used when discussing difficulties in adjusting to a new environment, situation, or social norms. It often has a psychological or social aspect. His maladjustment to city life was evident in his constant complaints She sought therapy to address her child's social maladjustment
malfunction	This word is typically used for machines or devices that are not working correctly. It has a technical connotation. The engine malfunction made the car unsafe to drive The system experienced a critical malfunction, causing a significant downtime

Examples of usage

The fear of social situations led to a maladaptation in his behavior, causing him to isolate himself from others.
Her perfectionism became a maladaptation when it prevented her from completing tasks on time.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

biology

In biology, maladaptation refers to a trait or characteristic that reduces an organism's fitness for survival and reproduction in a given environment.

Synonyms

disadvantageous trait, unfavorable characteristic.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
maladaptation	This term is used to describe a response or trait that is counterproductive or harmful in a particular environment. It is often used in scientific discussions, especially in biology and psychology, when analyzing how certain behaviors or features fail to adapt well to their surroundings. The animal's maladaptation to the changing climate led to its eventual decline. In psychology, a maladaptation in coping mechanisms can exacerbate stress.
disadvantageous trait	This phrase is suitable for describing a characteristic or feature that puts an organism, person, or group at a disadvantage in a specific context. It is often used in more general discussions, including social sciences and everyday conversation. In a competitive job market, lack of communication skills can be a disadvantageous trait. For prey animals, a bright coloration without toxicity can be a disadvantageous trait.
unfavorable characteristic	This term is used to describe a feature or quality that is not beneficial and can affect performance or success negatively. It is a more general term and can be used in various fields ranging from everyday conversations to professional settings. Her tendency to procrastinate is an unfavorable characteristic that affects her work performance. The company's lack of flexibility is an unfavorable characteristic in today's fast-paced market.

Word

Description / Examples

maladaptation

This term is used to describe a response or trait that is counterproductive or harmful in a particular environment. It is often used in scientific discussions, especially in biology and psychology, when analyzing how certain behaviors or features fail to adapt well to their surroundings.

The animal's maladaptation to the changing climate led to its eventual decline.
In psychology, a maladaptation in coping mechanisms can exacerbate stress.

disadvantageous trait

This phrase is suitable for describing a characteristic or feature that puts an organism, person, or group at a disadvantage in a specific context. It is often used in more general discussions, including social sciences and everyday conversation.

In a competitive job market, lack of communication skills can be a disadvantageous trait.
For prey animals, a bright coloration without toxicity can be a disadvantageous trait.

unfavorable characteristic

This term is used to describe a feature or quality that is not beneficial and can affect performance or success negatively. It is a more general term and can be used in various fields ranging from everyday conversations to professional settings.

Her tendency to procrastinate is an unfavorable characteristic that affects her work performance.
The company's lack of flexibility is an unfavorable characteristic in today's fast-paced market.

Examples of usage

The loss of camouflage due to a change in habitat resulted in a maladaptation for the species.
The inability to digest a particular food source can be considered a maladaptation in some organisms.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Biology

In biology, maladaptation can occur when species become less suited to their environment, often due to rapid environmental changes.
An example is when animals lose their natural camouflage in changing habitats, making them more vulnerable to predators.
Maladaptations can also occur in human health, like developing allergies in response to changes in environment due to urban living.

Psychology

In psychology, maladaptation can refer to coping mechanisms that initially seem helpful but later lead to more problems, such as substance abuse.
A common example is a person who develops avoidance behavior, which might help them in the short term but ultimately leads to isolation.

Cultural Studies

Cultural maladaptation can happen when cultural practices no longer suit current societal needs, leading to social issues.
For example, traditions that worked well in small, close-knit communities may cause conflicts in large, urban settings.

Environmental Science

Species that cannot adapt quickly enough to climate change often face extinction, highlighting the importance of adaptability.
Conservation efforts often focus on helping species that show signs of maladaptation to encourage accurate adjustments to their environments.

Origin of 'maladaptation'

Main points about word origin

The prefix 'mal-' comes from Latin, meaning 'bad' or 'wrong,' while 'adaptation' relates to making changes to fit in.
The word combines ideas of change and failure, showing it is a negative form of adapting, usually in an ecological or psychological context.

The term 'maladaptation' originated from the combination of 'mal-' meaning bad or poorly and 'adaptation' referring to the process of adjusting to new conditions. It is commonly used in psychology and biology to describe ineffective responses to stressors or traits that reduce an organism's fitness. The concept highlights the importance of adaptability and evolution in various contexts.