ading to dysfunctional behavioral responses (Adelmann, 1994, pp. S277-S285). Basic beliefs are often learned early in life. Basic beliefs are used by individuals in the evaluation of life events (Porterfield, 1987, pp. 306-317). Thus, behavior will be evaluated in the context of one's basic beliefs. If these basic beliefs are unrealistic or irrational, one's expectancies will likely also tend to be unrealistic and irrational.
Adaptation enables an individual to understand the surrounding environment (Wong and Watt, 1991, pp. 272-279). Adaptation occurs through the functioning of the mental processes of assimilation and accommodation. Assimilation involves the perception and interpretation of new information within the context of existing knowledge and understanding. Accommodation is a more advanced process that involves the restructuring of mental organization in order to include new information. The ecological approach to psychology is a functional approach. In this approach, psychologi
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