In the ecological framework, adaptation is described as the process of

• A. Adjusting to environmental demands
• B. Resisting change
• C. Isolating the individual from the environment
• D. Ignoring context

Answer: (A)

The main idea being tested is how individuals adjust within multiple environmental contexts. In the ecological framework, adaptation is the process of adjusting to environmental demands so that the person can function effectively in their surroundings. This emphasizes a good fit between the person and their context, recognizing that development arises from ongoing interactions across different systems like family, school, community, and culture.

Adaptation is dynamic and reciprocal: as demands or contexts change, people modify their behaviors, skills, or coping strategies; and, in turn, those changes can influence the environment, prompting further adjustments. This stands in contrast to resisting change, isolating from the environment, or ignoring context, which would ignore the core idea that development emerges from person–environment interaction.

For example, a student might adjust study routines to align with school expectations, or a family might modify daily routines to support a new family member. These adjustments illustrate how adaptation involves actively fitting oneself to environmental demands rather than remaining static or disconnected from context.