The [a*=Uc] Basic Adjustments

The compensated Role Uniform basic adjustments are the moderately compensated (or [a*=Uc] and the extremely compensated (or [a*+=Uc+] states. Since they involve denial of the primitive tendency, these adjustments are characterized by tension, Through compensation, the primitive "U" child, exhibits at adolescence a strong tendency to perceive and react as an "A."

The primitive "U," although not socially versatile, is nevertheless able to acquire a specific, well-defined social role, though with considerable effort. His social interaction is therefore apt to be precise, even to the point of being ritualistic. This may result in stereotypic, fixed role behavior. The theory holds that many of the so-called "typical" members of professional, religious, ethnic, and other social class groupings arise out of this adjustment pattern.

The [a*+=Uc+] adjustment represents the extreme of stereotypic behavior. The primitive "U," if strongly pressured in the "A" direction, tends to become active in his attempts to acquire some manner of interacting. Because of his need, he is forced to become more aware of and sensitive to the environment than he would normally be. However, his "U-ness" limits the ways in which he can proceed. His inherent social inflexibility makes it impossible for him to acquire, even through considerable and concerted efforts, more than one or two social roles, which he sometimes displays without sufficient control. He lacks sufficient insight to know when his roles are inappropriate, and he cannot adjust his social behavior in terms of varying external demands.

Having suffered considerable rejection, disapproval, and punishment, the [a*+=Uc+] tends to be fearful, suspicious, and hostile. Because of his social-interpersonal ineptitude, his sincere overtures have been misunderstood, and his extremely friendly gestures have brought on punishment. He tends to respond with increasingly intense feelings of being unjustly treated, and with mounting negativism and suspiciousness. There is some danger that he will generalize his unfortunate experiences to the point of severe pathology, and begin to suffer from actual delusions of persecution.

The [a*+=Uc+] has some advantages, in that he has achieved a limited amount of role playing ability through compensation. However, this is offset, to a considerable extent, by his failure to acquire the necessary understanding to utilize social roles appropriately. He has the additional disadvantage of failing to recognize his lacks in this respect. His suspiciousness, hostility, and negativism hamper the efficiency of his adjustment still further.

The [a*=Uc] is thought to be the most common basic adjustment for a primitive "U." In this orientation, the individual, unlike the [a*+=Uc+], does recognize that he needs to acquire social insight in order to behave appropriately. While he manifests signs of ritualistic and stereotypic behavior, he is better able than an [a*+=Uc+] to acquire a role which is consistent with the intellectual or procedural abilities which he has developed.

The [a*=Uc] does not escape from his inherent limitations of his primitive "U" tendency. When he is rejected in the role with which he has become familiar, he cannot turn to others effectively. His ability to recognize his limitations, however, may at least offer him sufficient insight to recognize where the problem lies. In an attempt at solution, he may change the environment until he finds one in which he is accepted as he is. Once he is secure, however, he will resist further environmental change.

The [a*=Uc] is capable, with great effort, of adjusting to the social demands of his culture. He will, however, continue his social interactions without changing them, should he be placed in a different social setting. Knowing his difficulties in this area, he tends to be highly resistant to change, intolerant of individual differences, and disturbed and suspicious when he is confronted with the novel and the unexpected.

Although the [a*=Uc] attempts to become Role Adaptive, he usually fails to make the favorable first impression which is the essential feature of Role Adaptive. Because he is not initially pleasing, his knowledge, abilities, and understanding tend to be underestimated in casual contacts. In more long lasting involvements, however, the [a*=Uc] can generally demonstrate that he merits greater acceptance than his first impression indicated. Once he has achieved acceptance, he will hesitate to change his environment. In this respect, the quality of his social interactions is opposite to that of the "A," whose first impression is favorable, and who learns to move on before his initial advantage is lost.

The [a*=Uc] individual, like the [a*+=Uc+] has been subjected to disapproval, rejection, misunderstanding, and punishment. As a result, he, too, tends to be mistrustful and suspicious. These tendencies are apt to increase, because even his genuine attempts at social interaction are frequently interpreted as hostile. Over time, then, the [a*=Uc] begins to overreact in terms of suspiciousness and negativism.

The chief advantage of the [a*=Uc] adjustment is the ability of the individual to acquire, and even to learn well, a role which is in accord with his abilities and his interests. He can also maintain effective social interaction where the role which he knows is appropriate. He has the further advantage of recognizing the need to acquire and maintain productive social interaction. His primary difficulties are his lack of versatility, and the risk that he will act inappropriately, particularly in unfamiliar situations. In addition, his negativism is often intense, and his pervasive suspiciousness, in extreme cases, can he actually delusional.