Discuss the competence-environmental press approach and how it relates to the adaptation level, the zone of maximum comfort and the zone of maximum performance potential

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

This model focuses on the relationship between a person and his/her environment. Competence is defined as the upper limit of a person's ability to function in five domains: physical health, sensory-perceptual skills, motor skills, cognitive skills, and ego strength. These domains are viewed as underlying all other abilities and reflect biological and psychological forces. Environmental press refers to the physical, interpersonal, or social demands that environments put on people. Both of these factors change as people move through their lives.

When one's press exceeds their competence, they may experience the zone of maximum performance potential, and when the reverse is true—when their competence exceeds their press —they will experience their zone of maximum comfort. When there is an equilibrium, or a balance, between the two, they will reach their adaptation level.

Individual instructors may wish to expand this question by asking students to provide examples of all of the included concepts. The responses will then vary and need to be assessed individually.