2006-12-05 05:17:13 · 17 answers · asked by confusedbrowngirl 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Singles & Dating
Its the best only by default... unless you have a magic crystal ball, what else do you have to go off of? Its either their past actions or what they SAY they'll do... and its so easy to blurt out whatever so by default past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior- BUT I truly believe people can change and its presumptuious to just think because they did something in the past they'll do it again.
2006-12-05 05:22:01 · answer #1 · answered by HE'S NOT INTO ME 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everyone knows that an addict will always be an addict, but they CAN be a 'recovering' addict. I think the reason for this is that drug cravings are so strong that they will pop up from time to time & a person has to be very strong psychologically to not cave into their temptation. But I have known many addicts who have gone the rest of their lives w/o drugs, but they have said that they still have cravings from time to time. This includes alcoholics. As for a chronic liar, I'm not sure. Abusers definitely can be a habit that is reformable. And sexual cheaters can be reformed too. I use to be a habitual cheater & I have reformed. But I have to say that I was brought to a low point before I reformed. I think it had to be this way otherwise I would probably never have reformed. Now 'cheating' is not a pathological behaviour, IMO. I'm sure there are exceptions to the rule--such is the case of pathological spenders or pathological exercisers or people with eating disorders--but I think in most cases, people who cheat on others are just not ready to settle down with one person. At least, that's how it was with me. And then you got to consider the normal psychological processes that happen in life, like the Quarter-Life Crises, the Mid-Life Crises, death of friends & relatives, major upsets in life like the death of a child, etc. These are times when some people who may not normally cheat, DO cheat. But these are normal happenstances & should not be lumped in with habitual behaviours.
2016-03-13 03:42:57 · answer #2 · answered by Lydia 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off, behavior is indicative of the mind's process and action. These are pretty much set after puberty as the brain matures and synaptic pruning has taken place. The brain, in effect, begins its slow descent towards degradation, in the synaptic sense. We become used to doing things certain ways. When Dr. Phil is refferring to past behavior, he is not taking into account the stuff that is contrary to this, but most of what we do is rooted in what we did in the past. I have an idiot dog who keeps going back to this b*tch dog, we'll call him matt. The b*tch dog may treat him like crap and never reciprocat his love but oh well, when she calls, that idiot dog comes running back to the b*tch dog. So I would say that the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. True.
2006-12-05 05:25:29 · answer #3 · answered by Drockable 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends on how he defines past- people mature and change over years. Some things are patterns and character issues. Other things can be a 1-time event. If a man cheated on his last 3 wives and met you while he was married, you can bet he'll cheat. If he cheated on his high school girlfriend 15 years ago, I wouldn't give that much credence.
If a person has a history of financial troubles, you can assume they'll continue. If a person had 1 financial turn and has recovered, that's different.
2006-12-05 05:19:23 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yup! "History Repeats Itself" Past behavior is like the road map for what will happen in the future. I completly agree.
2006-12-05 05:19:21 · answer #5 · answered by Dr. Kat 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
True. History repeats itself. Life lesson 101.
2006-12-05 05:20:33 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely!
2006-12-05 05:20:12 · answer #7 · answered by Buff 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As much as I hate Dr. Phil, I have to admit this is correct.
2006-12-05 05:19:20 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hmm...I tend to agree BUT...
What about those that have reformed, like criminals-turned-nuns or something. It is possible to form furture behaviour.
2006-12-05 05:20:21 · answer #9 · answered by angel_of_thought 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
generally true but not always.
On a side note, and i know alot people will disagree, but I HATE doctor phil, i think most the time he just talks to hear his own voice. He is full of circular reasoning, Your upset becuase deep down you feel sad and you will continue to feel sad until you find a way to be happy. Duh!
2006-12-05 05:21:47 · answer #10 · answered by krissy 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋