ADAPTIVE POTENTIAL OF PERSONALITY IN CONTEMPORARY PSYCHOLOGICAL COGNITION

Abstract

The article provides a comprehensive analysis of contemporary scientific approaches to understanding adaptive potential of personality as an integral psychological characteristic. The historical development of the concept of adaptation from classical concepts of stress and adaptation syndrome to modern theoretical models has been investigated. Various definitions of adaptive potential in foreign psychological literature have been analyzed, considering it as a component of resilience, ability for reorganization and renewal, synonym of adaptability, set of available resources and ability to mobilize them. The concept of resource conservation and classification of adaptive potential resources according to criteria of relation to the individual, source of localization and level of importance have been examined. The works of domestic researchers regarding structural components and features of personality adaptive potential have been analyzed in detail. Three main components of adaptive potential have been identified: psychophysical adaptability, which consists in the organism’s ability to restructure physiological functions; psychological adaptability, which is based on overcoming psychological stress; psychosocial adaptability as adaptation to communicative interaction with microsocial environment. The main psychological characteristics of adaptive potential have been systematized, including locus of control, psychological maturity of personality, cognitive coping resources, ability for subjective probabilistic forecasting and confidence in social support. The understanding of adaptive potential as a result of functioning of a self-regulated integral system, whose adaptability is ensured by interaction and balance of structural elements, has been substantiated. It has been proven that adaptive potential represents an integral characteristic that reflects the totality of psychological, mental and socio-psychological properties of a person, ensuring the ability to effectively adapt to changing environmental conditions while maintaining resistance to external stressors and internal balance.