Which of the following sets of statements most appropriately conveys the process of adjustment? Choose from the code for your answer : (a) Adjustment is a two-dimensional process. (b) Mental health of a person is indicative of his/her adjustment. (c) Adjustment implies satisfying one’s needs in a given environment. (d) Conflicts and tensions are a part of the adjustment process. (e) Adjustment is the goal of life. (f) Adjustment and mental health are one and the same thing. Code :

Which of the following sets of statements most appropriately conveys the process of adjustment? Choose from the code for your answer : (a) Adjustment is a two-dimensional process. (b) Mental health of a person is indicative of his/her adjustment. (c) Adjustment implies satisfying one’s needs in a given environment. (d) Conflicts and tensions are a part of the adjustment process. (e) Adjustment is the goal of life. (f) Adjustment and mental health are one and the same thing. Code : Correct Answer (a), (c) and (d)

All of our behavior conscious or unconscious, voluntary or automatic, planned or unplanned, wise or foolish represents our attempts to meet our needs. 'Throughout life, our physiological and psychological needs are continually being aroused and we engage in behavior that reduces or satisfies the needs. This constant cycle of needs arousal and their satisfaction, in a broad sense, is the process of adjustment.

Meaning of adjustment

  • 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.
  • It is a two-way process between the individual, his characteristic needs, desires, and competencies on the one hand and the situation in which an individual finds himself and the demands of that situation, on the other.
  •  A sequence of adjustment begins when a need is felt and ends when it is satisfied. 
  • In general, the adjustment process involves four parts:
    • a need or motive in the form of a strong persistent stimulus
    • the thwarting or non-fulfillment of this need,
    • varied activity, or exploratory behavior accompanied by problem-solving, and
    • some response that removes or at least reduces the initiating stimulus and completes the adjustment.
  • Successful adjustment is crucial to having a high quality of life. Those who are unable to adjust well are more likely to have clinical anxiety or depression as well as experience feelings of hopelessness, anhedonia, difficulty concentrating, sleeping problems, and reckless behavior.
  • The 'adjustment as a process' theory portrays that, since the moment we are born, humans are in a constant state of adjustment. This approach views all life events as inextricable from some form of adjustment.
  • Successful adjustment is also called being 'well adjusted' and is critical to mental health.

Conclusion: Thus while evaluating adjustment it could be considered in two ways: adjustment as achievement and adjustment as a process. All humans are in a constant state of change, hence, we can never adjust successfully to the changing environment. While adjusting we may face lots of problems that create rift and tension in life which may affect our mental health. So humans can be adaptive in behavior. From the above choices option (3) will be correct.

Note: Adjustment may affect the mental health of a person, but mental health can neither be indicative of adjustment nor it is the same as adjustment. The mental health of a person could be because of some medical condition, genetic, etc. Since the adjustment is an ongoing process, so it can never be the goal of life because a goal could be achieved but no one can successfully adjust to an ever-changing environment.

Related Questions

Read the following passage and answer the item that follows. Your answers to this item should be based on the passage only. Many farmers use synthetic pesticides to kill infesting insects. The consumption of pesticides in some of the developed countries is touching 3000 grams/hectare. Unfortunately, there are reports that these compounds possess inherent toxicities that endanger the health of the farm operators, consumers and the environment. Synthetic pesticides are generally persistent in environment. Entering in food chain they destroy the microbial diversity and cause ecological imbalance. Their indiscriminate use has resulted in development of resistance among insects to insecticides, upsetting of balance in nature and resources of treated populations. Natural pest control using the botanical pesticides is safer to the user and the environment because they break down into harmless compounds within hours or days in the presence of sunlight. Plants with pesticidal properties have been in nature for millions of years without any ill or adverse effects on the ecosystem. They are easily decomposed by many microbes common in most soils. They help in the maintenance of biological diversity of predators and human health hazards. Botanical pesticides formulated from plants are biodegradable and their use in crop protection is a practical sustainable alternative. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding biopesticides? 1. They are not hazardous to human health. 2. They are persistent in environment. 3. They are essential to maintain the biodiversity of any ecosystem. Select the correct answer using the code given below.