The Power of the Situation and the Power of You!

"The Power of the Situation" is a key concept in my area of study (social psychology). The main message: Situations compel behaviors.

Think of how hard it would be to walk into a library and create a disturbance. Can't you just feel the situation pressing back at you as you try to scream or sing or dance around? How about acting like you would at the doctor's office when you're at a party?

So, situations are powerful. Sometimes when I lecture on this topic, students get a little upset. They start to worry that maybe they're not in as much control of themselves as they thought they were. That is an upsetting thought, to be sure, but that's not my point. It's not nearly that simple.

Yes, situations are powerful and, yes, they can compel our behavior. That's all true. But let's dig a little deeper.

1. First, situations often compel our behavior. That means that we're not mere automatons going through the motions. Sometimes we resist the pull of the situation. Sometimes we'll win that fight, a lot of the time we'll lose. But the point remains: We have our own ideas.

2. Second, we pick a lot of our situations. So, that means that we're exerting a kind of self-control. Once we're in a situation, it will be extremely difficult to resist its pull. But, we can often pick the situations in which we put ourselves. Consider, for example, eating. If you want to eat healthy, is it really a good idea to go to the sports stadium on an empty stomach? You should either eat something healthy before you go or decide to stay away. If you know that certain situations 'pull' behavior out of you that you don't think is great, then maybe don't get yourself into those situations in the first place! Instead, pick the situations that you want, so that you'll like your behavior.

3. Third, we construct situations. This fact shows how powerful we are. Who set up libraries as quiet places for reading and deep contemplation? It was people like us! Who made nightclubs, malls, and funeral homes? Us! Which leads me to . . .

4. Fourth, and most important, YOU can construct situations for yourself. If you're a teacher, you can set up your classroom to compel certain kinds of behaviors from your students. The traditional rows of desks, with you as the focus of attention, sends a different message about what you expect than if you arrange the desks in small groups. If you own a restaurant, you can change the decor, lighting, and seating density to send whatever message you want (raucous pub vs. elegant dining).

So, ultimately, my message gives you freedom. It's a different kind of freedom, to be sure, but it's freedom nonetheless. It's not accurate to believe that you can do whatever you're inclined to do in the moment, regardless of the situation. But, you can certainly exert control of your behavior and your life by choosing, and constructing, many of your situations.

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