Diandra Maria Pânișoară
Conditioning, Social Constructs, and Decision- Making
O ur experiences change the way we see the world and dominate the course of our actions. We are conditioned by the circumstances that exceed our expectations, and we find ourselves in a continuous metamorphosis. We extend the simple conditioning of Ivan Pavlov and John B. Watson, but we seem to be easily manipulated by the factors that arise in our daily endeavors. Now, of course, our intellect may be more evolved than the one of a dog or a baby, but when it comes to our needs, especially the fundamental need for safety and comfort, we become fragile and exposed to the atrocities that can be found in every environment. As in all controversial topics, the opinions are divided, and questions about the nature of human experience arise. Are we born as we are, or does our environment create the values and morals within an individual? Do we have more to gain in an individualistic or collective society? We grow up in cultures that show certain patterns, traditions, and even the rejection of such factors drives us to adapt to elements that create a new view on the preexisting conditions. What makes the learning process and the contradictory conditions implacable even when it comes to adults with an already made-up mind? We could consider the theory of habit and draw a parallel in understanding the human dynamics to which we are accustomed. Modern theories derived from classical behaviorism describe how habits manifest themselves. Factors that are easy to overlook are everywhere, and thus we act without understanding certain decisions that we are responsible for. Vulnerability can be found in many individuals; however, children are
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