ADAPTATION UNDER EXTREME ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

In: The annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Band 389, S. 19-28

Abstract

A systems approach to the process of adaptation to extreme environmental conditions is presented, utilizing the concepts input, output, & adaptation. The process of adaptation to extreme conditions produces a 'general adaptation syndrome,' characterized by stress-producing inputs, or stressors, of energy or information. The readjustments involved in adapting to stressful inputs may be complex. They include both specific changes determined by the nature of the environmental conditions & nonspecific responses of the system to emergencies. Nonspecific adjustments in humans range from the alerting response, which signals an alteration in the environment, to widespread changes involving multiple subsystems. These can be divided into 3 interrelated categories: (a) responses mediated by the reticular system; (b) those mediated by the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system; & (c) those mediated by the pituitary-adrenal system. Coping mechanisms for information overloads, whether in a cell, an individual, a small group, a large org or society include the following categories: ommission; queuing; filtering; multiple channels; approximation; error; & escape. When stress arises from the meaning of information inputs, the following major patterns of adjustment to symbolic dangers are possible: repression; denial; rationalization; reaction formation; undoing; isolation; projection; regression; & displacement. Although the environmental changes which threaten our society may soon constitute energy inputs which require adaptive adjustments, most people are now confronted with extreme environments in a symbolic rather than a realistic sense. No matter how extreme the environment, examples can usually be found of compensatory processes which have enabled most individuals to adapt. 1 Figure. M. Maxfield.