Theory of Cognitive Adaptation

The Theory of Cognitive Adaption deals with one of the defense mechanisms of the human psyche. In general, this theory seeks to find how human beings deal with threatening or traumatic events in their past. Cognitive adaption is the means by which humans “bounce back” from negative events in their past.

Features

• The seminal article on this theory was written by Shelley Taylor in 1983. This has been the foundational article for all other approaches to this theory since that time. The features of cognitive adaption are three: the search for meaning, the attempt to regain mastery over one's life, and finally, the re-creation of self esteem after the problematic event.

Function

• This theory is about rebuilding after trauma. The features of the theory all have their specific function. After a bad experience, the human psyche naturally seeks to find meaning, that is, to see the good in the negative event, to see what one has learned from it. This is thought to be a means of overcoming any scars that derive from the event. Regaining mastery is an attempt to structure one's life so as to avoid the event from ever happening again. Finally, the recreation of self esteem is the rebuilding process. Often, the psyche seeks to “flatter” itself in the process of rebuilding a positive self image after a traumatic or otherwise unsettling event.

Significance

• Ultimately, this theory is about human survival and psychic self defense. Experts such as Taylor have reduced all of these mechanisms as illusion. These illusions are not delusions. The illusion of mastery or self-esteem is a functional illusion in that it is necessary for the psyche to rebuild itself and readjust to its life after a traumatic event. Illusion, therefore, is necessary for a healthy psychic life.

Considerations

• One need not take Taylor's extreme position that the attempt of the psyche to rebuild itself is purely illusion, albeit a positive one. One can take a more moderate view, such as the “rational choice” view, that the rebuilding process is a rational means to make use of one's internal resources to bounce back and rebuild. Many who have come out of a traumatic situation seek to stress their positive points as a means of rebuilding, but this does not imply that those traits are illusory or even exaggerated. It implies only that the individual is rationally taking some control over her self image.

Benefits

• This theory shows the resilience of the human psyche and the survival mechanisms built into it. For Shelley, the creation of beneficial illusion is proof of this survival mechanism. In her view, the human mind does not voluntarily create this deception, but automatically does it a a means to keep the person sane.