maladaptations
Counterproductive evolved traits
Maladaptations are traits or behaviors that harm rather than help an organism's survival or success.
In evolutionary biology, a maladaptation is a feature that once served a purpose but has become disadvantageous in changed circumstances—or one that never conferred benefit at all.
The term extends to psychology and behavior: His drinking started as a coping mechanism but became a maladaptation.
Unlike adaptations, which improve fit with an environment, maladaptations create mismatch.
Causing one's own failure
- counterproductiveHindering intended outcome
- compulsive behaviorUncontrollable repetitive action pattern
- risk-takingAccepting possible harm
- substance dependenceClinical compulsive drug use
disordered eating · social withdrawal · aggression · procrastination · perfectionism · people-pleasing · codependency · hoarding
Body attacks itself
- inflammationProtective tissue response
- chronic painEnduring physical suffering
- allergic responseImmune system's mistaken attack
- hormonal imbalanceIrregular glandular secretion levels
metabolic disorder · stress hormones · tissue damage · systemic failure · degeneration · atrophy · hypersensitivity · immunodeficiency
Psychological wound's behavioral aftermath
- hypervigilanceHeightened threat sensitivity
- avoidanceDeliberate keeping away
- defense mechanismUnconscious self-protective mental process
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
learned helplessness · dissociation · attachment disorder · behavioral pattern · cognitive distortion · rumination · self-sabotage · compulsion
Incompatible combination
- vestigialReduced, without current function
- natural selectionDifferential reproductive success
- selection pressureForce favoring certain traits
- phenotypeObservable characteristics of organism
heritability · alleles · genotype · speciation · mutation · extinction · deleterious
- inefficiencySuboptimal use of resources
- vestigial structureAnatomical evolutionary relic
- congenital defectAbnormality present at birth
- malformationAbnormally developed structure
self-defeating
Causing one's own failure
- counterproductiveHindering intended outcome
- compulsive behaviorUncontrollable repetitive action pattern
- risk-takingAccepting possible harm
substance dependence · disordered eating · social withdrawal · aggression · procrastination · perfectionism · people-pleasing · codependency · hoarding · impulsivity
autoimmune
Body attacks itself
- inflammationProtective tissue response
- chronic painEnduring physical suffering
- allergic responseImmune system's mistaken attack
hormonal imbalance · metabolic disorder · stress hormones · tissue damage · systemic failure · degeneration · atrophy · hypersensitivity · immunodeficiency · dysfunction
trauma response
Psychological wound's behavioral aftermath
- hypervigilanceHeightened threat sensitivity
- avoidanceDeliberate keeping away
- defense mechanismUnconscious self-protective mental process
anxiety · learned helplessness · dissociation · attachment disorder · behavioral pattern · cognitive distortion · rumination · self-sabotage · compulsion · catastrophizing
mismatch
Incompatible combination
- vestigialReduced, without current function
- natural selectionDifferential reproductive success
- selection pressureForce favoring certain traits
phenotype · heritability · alleles · genotype · speciation · mutation · extinction · deleterious
poor design
- inefficiencySuboptimal use of resources
- vestigial structureAnatomical evolutionary relic
- congenital defectAbnormality present at birth
maladaptationsadaptations
Changes to fit conditions
survival mechanisms · adaptive strategies · fitness benefits · vestigial structures