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Sources of maladaptive behavior in 'normal' organisms.
Ralph R Miller1, Cody W Polack1
1Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Binghamton, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000, United States.
Behavioural Processes
|December 24, 2017
Summary
Maladaptive behaviors in normal organisms often stem from environmental changes across generations or within an individual's life. Understanding these altered contingencies is key to reducing problematic behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral science
- Neurophysiology
- Evolutionary psychology
Background:
- Most researchers assume behavior is functional.
- However, some behaviors in neurophysiologically normal organisms appear maladaptive.
- Research aims to understand and reduce these maladaptive behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review major sources of maladaptive behavior in normal organisms.
- To examine the role of altered environmental contingencies.
- To discuss the functional basis of learning and transfer.
Main Methods:
- Panoramic review of existing research.
- Analysis of environmental contingencies across and within generations.
- Examination of associative interference and transfer of training.
Main Results:
- Identified four major sources of maladaptive behavior: altered ancestral environment contingencies, altered current environment contingencies, linked beneficial traits, and mislabeled adaptive behaviors.
- Highlighted altered contingencies within a generation as associative interference.
- Discussed insufficient or excessive transfer of training as a central issue.
Conclusions:
- Maladaptive behaviors in normal organisms arise from mismatches with environmental conditions.
- Altered environmental contingencies, both historical and current, are significant factors.
- Understanding transfer of training is crucial for addressing maladaptive behaviors.