Maladaptive Behavior Case Study

Maladaptive Behavior Case Study

Adaptive behavior refers to behavior that enables a person (usually used in the context of children) to get along in his or her environment with greatest success and least conflict with others. This is a term used in the areas of psychology and special education. Adaptive behavior relates to every day skills or tasks that the average person is able to complete, similar to the term life skills.

Nonconstructive or disruptive social or personal behaviors can sometimes be used to achieve a constructive outcome. For example, a constant repetitive action could be re-focused on something that creates or builds something. In other words, the behavior can be adapted to something else.

In contrast, maladaptive behavior is a type of behavior that is often used to reduce one’s anxiety, but the result is dysfunctional and non-productive. For example, avoiding situations because you have unrealistic fears may initially reduce your anxiety, but it is non-productive in alleviating the actual problem in the long term. Maladaptive behavior is frequently used as an indicator of abnormality or mental dysfunction, since its assessment is relatively free from subjectivity. However, many behaviors considered moral can be maladaptive, such as dissent or abstinence.

Adaptive behavior reflects an individual’s social and practical competence to meet the demands of everyday living. Behavior patterns change throughout a person’s development, across life settings and social constructs, changes in personal values, and the expectations of others. It is important to assess adaptive behavior in order to determine how well an individual functions in daily life: vocationally, socially and educationally.
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You learned about some of the person, environment, and time dimensions (i.e., biological, psychological, spiritual, and physical environment). In this assignment, you will generate a case study of an individual, highlighting his or her maladaptive behaviors, and then create a report demonstrating how you would work toward improving this individual’s healthy functioning.

Tasks:

In a 5- to 6-page paper, describe an individual who demonstrates maladaptive behavior. In your case study:

Describe in detail the individual and his or her behavior.
Explain how this individual demonstrates maladaptive behavior. Include behavioral characteristics, problems, and symptoms.
Discuss factors that contributed to the development of maladaptive behavior in the individual.
Identify and apply appropriate theories of maladaptive behavior to this individual.
Propose strategies and services for improving healthy functioning in this individual. Remember to include the specific patterns of change in the individual and in his or her environment needed to promote healthy functioning.
Submission Details:

By Wednesday, October 7, 2015, prepare a 5- to 6-page paper. Your response should rely upon at least two sources from professional literature. This may include the Argosy University online library resources, relevant textbooks, peer-reviewed journal articles, and websites created by professional organizations, agencies, or institutions (.edu, .org, or .gov). Write in a clear, concise, and organized manner; demonstrate ethical scholarship in accurate representation and attribution of sources (i.e., APA format); and use accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.