← Back to all terms

Positive Maladjustment

Positive maladjustment is the conscious rejection of societal norms that conflict with one’s internal sense of what is right. It is a marker of inner autonomy and moral development.

Examples include:
• Resisting peer pressure to act immorally
• Criticizing unjust systems even at personal cost
• Upholding inner values despite social rejection

Rather than being a sign of pathology, this type of maladjustment is seen as healthy and necessary in personality growth.