👉 A maladaptive term is a term that does not meet the criteria for being adaptive because it is not functioning in an adaptive way. Maladaptiveness refers to a lack of adaptation or adjustment to changes, which can lead to problems or challenges in life. For example, if someone has difficulty adjusting their behavior or emotions to different situations, they may be considered maladaptive. Similarly, if a person struggles with difficult decisions or conflicts, this could indicate that they are not functioning well in an adaptive way.