Adaptive Changes (Constriction)
Mental constriction is an automatic and purposive process whereby resources are focused on the cause of the disequilibrium and with finding a means of returning to equilibrium. A host of cognitive processes and behaviors, typically investigated individually (e.g., risk taking, creativity, goal fluidity), are posited to all be the result of mental constriction. These changes occur as a result of a goal disruption to attempt to obtain the goal and reorient oneself to equilibrium. Goal disruption theory places changes as a result of disruption into five categories:
1) ability
2) disposition
3) allocation of mental resources
4) perception
5) tactic
These effects of disruption and adaptation are not independent of each other. For example, changes in allocations of resources will cause changes in processing and disposition. Changes in processing will cause changes in ability and tactic. Changes in ability will influence the tactic used. These processes are not necessarily negative. It is useful for a hungry person to notice food at a higher level than someone who is not hungry. However, like many adaptive processes, all are not useful in every context.
Please click on a button below to learn more information about a category.
1) ability
2) disposition
3) allocation of mental resources
4) perception
5) tactic
These effects of disruption and adaptation are not independent of each other. For example, changes in allocations of resources will cause changes in processing and disposition. Changes in processing will cause changes in ability and tactic. Changes in ability will influence the tactic used. These processes are not necessarily negative. It is useful for a hungry person to notice food at a higher level than someone who is not hungry. However, like many adaptive processes, all are not useful in every context.
Please click on a button below to learn more information about a category.
