Sources of maladaptive behavior in ‘normal’ organisms

Abstract

A basic assumption of most researchers is that behavior is generally functional, and indeed, in most instances the function is obvious. But in a number of cases, some behaviors of neurophysiologically 'normal' organisms appear to be maladaptive. Considerable research has been conducted to understand the basis of such behavior as well as how the frequency of such behavior can be reduced. Here we provide a brief panoramic review of the major sources of maladaptive behavior in neurophysiologically 'normal' organisms: a) altered environmental contingencies relative to those faced by ancestral generations in their environment of evolutionary adaptation, b) altered environmental contingencies within the lifespan of the animal, c) linked behaviors in which the dysfunctional behavior is a linked companion of a more valuable beneficial trait, and d) the labeling of some behaviors as 'maladaptive' when more careful examination finds that they provide net benefit. Most of our attention is on the consequences of altered contingencies across and within a generation, with altered contingencies within a generation constituting a form of associative interference. The central issue in these two cases can be framed in terms of insufficient or excessive transfer of training resulting in maladaptive behavior. We discuss the functional basis of successful and unsuccessful near transfer (i.e., stimulus and response generalization) and far transfer (including rule learning and abstraction).

Affective Temperament is Associated with Stress Coping Strategies and Work Stress Perception Among Polish Bank Employees

“…Probably some of the maladaptive behaviors have functional values and may be associated with changes in environmental contingencies. 40 The similar data comes from research by Japanese authors, which found, that affective temperaments explained 36% of the variance of overcommitment in a Japanese IT service company. 41 Also Miyoshi et al reported that temperament dimensions could predict future depressive state and risk for future burnout in healthcare residents who never suffered from depression.…”

The Neurobiology of Fear Generalization

“…However, this example also illustrates that the evolutionary benefit of a given behavioral pattern is not definitively clear (for review see Bangasser and Wicks, 2017). Finally, although a particular behavior may be maladaptive for an individual it may actually benefit the population (for review see Miller and Polack, 2018).…”

A dynamic concept of animal welfare: The role of appetitive and adverse internal and external factors and the animal’s ability to adapt to them

“…Welfare issues may emerge if the animal has a strong motivation to display behaviors that are no longer adaptive and desirable in its current situation (see e.g., Miller and Polack, 2018). Examples are: nest building behavior of sows (Yun and Valros, 2015), the rooting behavior of pigs on concrete floors without litter (Studnitz et al, 2007), and dust bathing in chickens kept on wire floors (Vestergaard, 1980).…”