I Took the Bate

      My mom often complains about constantly driving from one place to another for my sister, as she does not have her license yet.  Sometimes she asks me to do it but my response usually consists of some form of "no sorry".  I either have too much going on in my own life or honestly I am just too lazy go drive Victoria around.  However, recently she will offer me money, letting me know that I can stop and get whatever food I want on the way.  I did not realize this tactic of hers at first until I read this article regarding operant conditioning.  As I look back, I have begun to take the bate and drive my sister much more than before, as I know look forward to picking up smoothies or chipotle on my way.  By offering positive reinforcement to me for driving around for my mom, she has almost trained me to do what she wants without me even realizing this.  This correlates directly with the article regarding the woman who molded her husband based on adoration for his good behavior. 
      Although I did not realize this conditioning that was occurring to me until now, I have learned a lot about how humans can be conditioned.  Without m realization, I adapted to my mom's rewards, thus sculpting me to complete the tasks she requested.  The fact that I unconsciously adapted proves the extremity to which people can be altered based on different stimulations, especially operant conditioning.  Humans and animals both like to be rewarded for good behavior and it works well when trying to teach them to respond a particular way.

Unforgettable Trauma

          While I have never met anyone who experienced such trauma as the woman in this story, I have met people who have experienced classical conditioning in a less severe sense.  I work at Geiger's Ski and Sport Haus and one day a lady came in and was searching around our store.  I approached her, as I do all customers, inquiring whether or not she needed assistance and she jumped, as if I had scared her.  Without further questions the lady went into her story, relaying that she was recently mugged in Tremont while walking to her car; the guy even held a gun to her head.  I found this account both very intriguing and sad, as an experience this lady endured had caused her further fear in her every day life.  This situation correlates to classical conditioning in the sense that her self-defense and awareness altered due to a past trauma.  In other words, the lady exemplified very nervous behaviors, which evolved from an event in her life.  Ever since the event, she has become more aware of her surroundings, hence conditioning herself to be safer in her every day life.  Her personality, though I did not know her before, may have also changed as the trust for the people around her lowered significantly.