University of Phoenix
Social Psychology – PSYCH/614
07:18:21 GMT -05:00
, Summative Assessment: Social Conditioning Reflection Blog
Social conditioning is the process by which an individual responds, acts, and thinks being
approved by society or social peer groups (Lee,2021). Examples of social conditioning are how
we act, dress, and behave; social conditioning also affects the way that we think. Some of our
actions are actively taught by parents or caregivers, schools, peer groups, media, and political
and religious figures (Lee, 2021). Social conditioning can help individuals have a sense of
belonging, and social cohesion, but that does not mean that there are always positive outcomes
when considering how social conditioning affects an individual (Lee,2021).
Social Conditioning Example 1: (The place for women in society)
Cultures all around the world are known for social conditioning by placing men and
women in gender roles (Lee,2021). An example of when I was personally affected by social
conditioning is how I taught women should act within their homes and society. I grew up and
live in a small Eastern KY town that is surrounded by gender stereotypes and women being
taught their place is as a homemaker, wife, and mother, and strong emphasis that women who
seek higher education and careers outside the home are disobedient and breaking the family unit.
As a child I was taught that I needed to know my place and that as a woman it should be my goal
to become a wife and mother, this was pushed using religious overtones and I was given the
impression that wanting anything else meant that I was not being a good Christian and I would
be disobeying God if I did not fall into the role that I was given as a woman.
Social Conditioning Example 2: (Addiction and Mental Health)
A second example of social conditioning that has occurred in my life is the views and
biases that I was taught about addiction and mental health. At a young age, I was exposed to
many adults who were struggling with mental health issues and addiction, and due to a lack of
07:18:21 GMT -05:00