Maladaptive Behavior

Definition

Maladaptive behavior refers to actions or patterns of behavior that are ineffective, disruptive, or harmful to an individual's well-being and ability to function in society. It is behavior that does not align with the demands and expectations of a given situation.

Related terms

Unconscious Conflicts: These are unresolved psychological struggles from early childhood that influence our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors without our conscious awareness.

Psychoanalytic Perspective: This perspective emphasizes the role of unconscious processes and early childhood experiences in shaping human behavior.

Defense Mechanisms: These are unconscious strategies employed by the ego to protect against anxiety arising from conflicts between impulses (id) and societal norms (superego).