Thursday, September 21, 2006
"If you keep telling your child that he is stupid, he will become stupid."
I believe that many have heard this before or comments to such extend, especially if you're a parent. This is known as mental conditioning. No, this is not to be confused with brainwashing or propaganda-:
"Mental conditioning is not the same as brainwashing and propaganda, although both of which could be treated as sub-types. In most cases, brainwashing and propaganda are used to impress or induce a particular pattern of thinking, belief system in the individual(s) who are subjected to it." - Wikipedia
"Mental conditioning is the process through which the mind is induced to adopt certain mental patterns, tendencies and/or mental states. Mental conditioning may be attributable to several causes - mass media, society, peers, parents etc. All of these may directly or indirectly create mental conditioning." - Wikipedia
For example, say you're a parent. You live in a lovely house with the greatest spouse you can ask for. But that's besides the point. Your children (let's assume they're girls) are so perfect, that you suspect they're actually angels in disguise. So right from as long back as you can remember, you have been calling them your "angels".
This however, was a big mistake, which you will soon realise. Soon, but still a tad too late.
They grow up thinking they're angels. You tell them stories of how angels are perfect just like them, of how they have white flow-y dresses and beautiful wings. On their 10th birthday, (let's assume, once again, that they're twins) you got them lovely dresses made of authentic chinese silk and wings made of real goose feathers. You thought they looked great, and so did they.
They smile for the camera. You take a shot. Then, they tell you they have a surprise for you. A performance! "Wow!" You think. "Giving me a performance though it's their birthday. How perfect can my angels get?"
The next time you see them, they're high atop a building. No, not a high one. Just 3 stories. They shout in unison, "Look at us fly!" And they jump off the building, thinking that they were REAL angels. But alas, they were'nt.
3 stories. Not to high, yet not low enough. They fell flat on their faces. Smashed themselves to smittereens they did.
And you mourn.
FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.
You realise that it is all your fault. That you were the one who gave them the misconception that they had wings and that they could fly.
And you blame yourself.
FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.
Thus ends the story.
Mental conditioning. Harmless, or so you thought.
The point I'm trying to put across is, don't put ideas into peoples' heads by constantly telling them they're stupid/smart/pretty/ugly/ etc etc. The most important thing is to not tell them what they're not. That's the crucial part.For eventually, they WILL become what you have said they were. And for all you know, you'll live to regret it.
FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.
Another post made possible by:
WikipediaMore reading here:
WikipediaNow, off to
telling myself I'm smart and I've got all the facts I need for tomorrow's examination in my head my studying.
Damned I really need to start bucking up an my
mental conditioning studies.
9:30 pm