Conflict of Discoursive and Stereotyped Decisions in the Mechanism of Counterproductive Behavior

Abstract

The article analyzes the mechanism of making decision by an individual. It is argued that the decision-making process of an individual continues from the moment when information is received about a specific situation and until the implementation of a certain variant of the action. In accordance with the mechanism of choosing the option of action, decisions can be classifiedas discursive (make das a result of conscious and reasoned choice), intuitive (makedinan unconventional situations a result unconscious but creative choice) and habitual (maked on the basis of the existing stereotypes algorithm factions). The pattern of a stereotyped (habitual) solution is developed in the process of a repeated «experience» of the standard situation, based on the individual’s own life experience, and on the assimilation of certain social stereotypes. In the mechanism of counter productive (including recurrent delictual and recurrent victim) behavior, the conflict between conscious (discursive) and unconscious (habitual) decisions plays an essential role. The social (national, religious, etc.) stereotypes that assimilated in the early age are usually not rationally interpreted, and exist in the world view structure as the «only true/most appropriate» model of the world-perception and self-perception. There fore, the customary decisions made on their basis of ten have an advantage over discursive ones, even in cases when they don’t meet the conditions of time and action. The causes of the formation of counter productive stereotypes of habitual solutions in each specific case can be psychological trauma, pathological fixation on certain complexes, in adequate self-esteem, and excessive dependence (or «anti dependence») on the social demands of some social community or specific individual. Over coming counter productive stereotypes of habitual decisions requires active support from significant others and development of correct socials kills.