This article is part of the Amateur Social Scientist Hub.
Many of the ideas shaping life were never consciously chosen.
Adulthood introduces a shift.
For the first time, individuals gain the ability to choose where they place their attention and which voices they allow to influence their thinking.
For someone taking the posture of an Amateur Social Scientist, this becomes an important moment of awareness.
The sources of influence in adult life are more flexible than they once appeared.
People can begin asking new questions.
These questions mark the shift from passive exposure to deliberate observation.
Adulthood opens the possibility of seeking out different examples.
The Amateur Social Scientist may begin studying individuals who are a few steps ahead in areas they hope to develop.
Choosing where attention goes becomes an important part of shaping influence.
Which inputs support the direction you want?
Within this model, influence plays a role in shaping behavioral paths.
The beliefs, expectations, and examples individuals encounter repeatedly can reinforce familiar routes of behavior.
When people begin examining the influences surrounding them, they gain a clearer view of how those influences interact with the paths they walk.
With awareness in place, influence is no longer entirely passive.
The next step is to study how different patterns of behavior actually play out in real people.
Next: Studying People Who Are Ahead of You
This article reflects the Amateur Social Scientist approach. Explore the full hub.
© Terri Lee Cooper – Cow Path Model of Change™