MALADAPTATION Meaning and
Definition
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Maladaptation refers to a significant dysfunction or negative response exhibited by an organism or a system in response to a new environment or a changed circumstance. It reflects the inability of an individual, group, or species to adequately adjust and thrive in the face of new challenges or circumstances, resulting in detrimental consequences or impaired functioning.
In biological terms, maladaptation refers to an evolutionary or genetic trait that proves to be disadvantageous in the given environment. These characteristics or behaviors that were once adaptive may become maladaptive due to changes in the environment, resulting in reduced fitness or survival rates. For example, the inability of a species to adapt to a changing climate or the introduction of a new predator may lead to reduced reproduction or increased vulnerability.
Furthermore, maladaptation can also be observed in psychological or social aspects of human behavior. It involves the inability of an individual or a group to adjust effectively to changes in their surroundings, leading to psychological distress, dysfunctional coping mechanisms, or social maladjustment. This could manifest as individuals struggling to cope with a new job, a traumatic event, or an unfamiliar cultural environment.
Overall, maladaptation highlights the failure to adapt and function optimally in response to changing circumstances or environments. It underscores the negative consequences or difficulties faced when organisms or individuals are unable to effectively adjust or thrive in their current context.
Common Misspellings for MALADAPTATION
- naladaptation
- kaladaptation
- jaladaptation
- mzladaptation
- msladaptation
- mwladaptation
- mqladaptation
- makadaptation
- mapadaptation
- maoadaptation
- malzdaptation
- malsdaptation
- malwdaptation
- malqdaptation
- malasaptation
- malaxaptation
- malacaptation
- malafaptation
- malaraptation
- malaeaptation
Etymology of MALADAPTATION
The word "maladaptation" is derived from the combination of two root words: "mal" and "adaptation".
The root "mal" comes from the Latin word "malus", meaning "bad" or "evil". It is commonly used as a prefix to indicate something negative, harmful, or abnormal. Examples of other words with the "mal" prefix include malfunction (a faulty operation), malice (intentional harmful behavior), and malnutrition (poor or inadequate nutrition).
The root "adaptation" comes from the Latin word "adaptare", which means "to fit" or "to adjust". "Adaptation" refers to the process or act of adjusting or modifying oneself to suit a different or changing environment or circumstance. In biology, it can refer to the changes an organism undergoes in order to survive or thrive in its environment.
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