In anthropology, “adjustment” refers to the ways humans respond to environmental, social, and cultural stressors—through biological, developmental, and cultural mechanisms. It is a broad concept used in physical/biological anthropology to describe human adaptability, and in cultural anthropology to explain how societies cope with change.

🌍 Types of Adjustment in Anthropology

• Acclimatory (Physiological) Adjustments
  • Short-term, reversible changes in the body.
  • Example: Sweating in hot climates, shivering in cold, increased breathing at high altitude.
• Developmental Adjustments
  • Permanent changes that occur during growth and development.
  • Example: Larger lung capacity in people raised at high elevations.
• Genetic Adjustments (Adaptations)
  • Long-term evolutionary changes passed through DNA.
  • Example: Sickle-cell trait as a genetic adjustment to malaria environments.
• Cultural Adjustments
  • Behavioral or technological solutions to environmental challenges.
  • Example: Clothing, housing, agriculture, and social systems designed to cope with climate or resource scarcity.

🔑 Anthropological Significance

• Human Plasticity: Adjustment highlights the flexibility of humans in coping with diverse environments.
• Survival Strategies: Explains how populations endure stressors without immediate genetic change.
• Comparative Studies: Anthropologists compare adjustments across populations to understand variation.
• Modern Contexts: Adjustment is relevant to climate change, urbanization, and industrial work environments.

📚 Examples in Practice

• Thermal Stress: Sweating, clothing innovations, and architectural design.
• Altitude Stress: Immediate hyperventilation (acclimatory), larger chest size in highland populations (developmental).
• Radiation Stress: Temporary tanning (acclimatory) vs. permanent skin pigmentation (genetic).
• Dietary Stress: Lactose tolerance/intolerance as genetic adjustment; dietary substitutions as cultural adjustment.

In short: Adjustment in anthropology is the study of how humans cope with environmental and social stressors through biological and cultural means, offering a framework for understanding human diversity and resilience.