adattatie

Adattatie is a term chiefly used in Dutch-language scientific literature to denote the process of adaptation, encompassing biological, psychological, and cultural dimensions. In evolutionary biology, adattatie refers to the genetic and phenotypic modifications that enable organisms to survive and reproduce in changing environments. These modifications arise through natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow, ultimately leading to increased fitness of the population. The concept is central to the modern synthesis, linking Darwinian selection with Mendelian genetics.

In psychology, adattatie describes the capacity of individuals to adjust cognitively and behaviorally to new circumstances, stressors, or learning demands. The term aligns with concepts such as resilience and coping mechanisms, emphasizing the dynamic interplay between personal resources and external challenges. Research in developmental and clinical psychology often measures adattatie through adaptive functioning scales, which assess skills in daily living, social interaction, and problem solving.

Culturally, adattatie can denote the process by which societies modify their norms, technologies, and institutions in response to environmental, economic, or social pressures. Anthropologists use the term to explore how cultural practices evolve, highlighting both gradual diffusion and rapid transformation.

The interdisciplinary use of adattatie underscores its role as a unifying concept for change and adjustment across natural and social sciences. While the spelling varies—adaptation in English, adaptatie in Dutch—the underlying principle remains the same: the systematic modification of traits, behaviors, or structures that enhances compatibility with prevailing conditions.