Synonyms
Definition
A process of cognitive adjustment to a threatening life event involving search for meaning in the experience and attempt to restore one’s sense of control and positive self-view.
Introduction
Human beings are extraordinarily resilient. When faced with major threatening life events such as a diagnosis of a potentially fatal illness or death of a close family member, individuals adapt to their new reality in a way that fosters their well-being. The Theory of Cognitive Adaptation (Taylor 1983) posits that humans cope with threats in their lives by creating a set of positive illusions, which serve to protect their psychological health (Taylor and Brown 1988, 1994). These positively slanted cognitions are not considered delusional or inaccurate but rather represent a sign of mental health, as they create space for hope, personal growth, and flexibility. Indeed, majority of healthy adults exhibit positive biases in their views of self and the...
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References
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Czajkowska, Z. (2017). Theory of Cognitive Adaptation. In: Zeigler-Hill, V., Shackelford, T. (eds) Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28099-8_1019-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28099-8_1019-1
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