The Human Adaptive Capacity (HAC) Model™
Architecture for Human Adaptive Capacity™ — building human capacity for global change.
A model for what moves
A change in one
moves through the others.
Developed by Dr. Jennifer Kai Lynne, the Human Adaptive Capacity (HAC) Model brings the lived experience of adaptability into focus. Across seven interconnected dimensions: identity, biological, cultural, relational, behavioral, systemic, and existential. A change in one dimension creates responses in the others.
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Developed in 2007 by Dr. Jennifer Kai Lynne, the Engaged Identity™ theory was refined through more than fifteen years of global engagement and serves as the foundation of the HAC Model™.
Seven interconnected dimensions
Seven dimensions,
one architecture.
Our adaptability responds as context, pressure, relationships, and time reshape what is possible. Operationalized through four Core Concepts, the HAC Model explores seven primary dimensions for emergent assessment, diagnostic mapping, and interrelated development.
01
Identity
Seated as the point through which an enactive and embodied consciousness gains function of the six interrelated dimensions. Focuses on identity expansion, processing identity threat, and maintaining self-coherence.
02
Biological
Encompasses somatic regulation, interoceptive sensing, nervous system stability, physical vitality and safety, self and co-regulation, and embodied metacognition.
03
Cultural
Navigates social and collective norms, shared narratives, values and morality, rituals and symbols, connectedness, and communication.
04
Relational
Addresses attachment, security, psychological safety, belonging, social capital, social inclusion, collective identity and intersubjectivity.
05
Behavioral
Measures actionable agility, habit creation and modification, reflexivity, value coherence and orientation, context and consequence shaping.
06
Systemic
Includes institutional, financial, economic, governmental, legal and judicial, ecological and environmental, and historical systems.
07
Existential
Examines meaning-making, beliefs, purpose, the philosophical and mythological, survival, risk, enactive consciousness, and impermanence.
Four core concepts
Four lenses on
human adaptive capacity.
The HAC Model synthesizes human adaptive capacity across four foundational concepts:
01
Embedded Systems
Using systems thinking and complexity theory to navigate intricate, interconnected environments.
02
Engaged Identity
Seeing self as a complex adaptable system with enactive consciousness. Addressing identity threat vs identity expansion.
03
Intravation
Cultivating embodied cognition, reflexivity, and inner innovation through interoceptive and somatic awareness.
04
Dynamic Capacity
Developing capability for stability, agility, and flexibility across an engagement horizon over time.
Human Adaptive Capacity
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human adaptive capacity.
Architecture for Human Adaptive Capacity™ — building human capacity for global change.