Each person repeatedly in his life is faced with the need to adapt. In order for the adaptation process to proceed successfully, it is necessary to understand the essence of this process and to have different adaptation strategies.
Adaptation is the process of the organism’s interaction with the environment, as a result of which the organism, environment, or both, change and acquire new properties.
In psychology, it is customary to talk about social adaptation or psychological adaptation. Both social and psychological adaptation describes the process of interaction of the individual with the social environment.
Speaking of psychological adaptation, we mean the interaction of a person with himself, with his immediate environment (relatives, friends, colleagues) and with a wide society represented by social institutions (state, educational and healthcare systems, church and others).
Features of social adaptation are such that a person - a person - can affect the environment, change it. For example, becoming a leader in a new group, a person can create new rules for all the people in it. Another example of a change in the environment under the influence of a person is the mechanism of emotional infection. Vividly showing his emotions, a person infects others with them, and now - the environment has already changed.
Adaptation is an ongoing process. It is impossible to once and for all achieve a state of adaptability and freeze in it. And the man himself and his social environment are constantly changing. Individuals have to constantly adapt to these changes.
The most effective adaptation strategies are two:
- Change yourself in accordance with the requirements of the environment, adjustment to the environment.
- Changing the environment for your desires, goals, abilities. Active influence on other people.
Different situations require different adaptation strategies. The main thing is flexibility in their use. It is important to have a large arsenal of strategies, selecting them in accordance with the current situation.