Analysis
Attributing the poor decision-making and bad behavior of patients to an “external negative influence” is a fallacious general law and principle that has been adopted by the Psychology and Counseling Industry.
Turning citizens into “victims” will not improve the quality of life for the patient and is detrimental to society. In short, blaming poor decision-making and bad behavior on an “external negative influence” (past or present condition, situation or event) is pseudoscience with certain expected personal and social consequences.
The cause of poor decision-making (resulting in bad behavior)
According to Gravity Theory, the cause of poor decision-making (leading to bad behavior) has nothing to do with “external negative influences.” Rather, the cause of poor decision-making (leading to bad behavior) is the anticipated benefits of making an empowering decision causes the person more mental discomfort than the anticipated consequences of making a poor decision.
The power of setting goals
When we set empowering goals, we establish an artificial elevated touchstone against which to measure discomfort. For example, a young woman who sees herself as “an accomplished dancer” does not need to be motivated to take lessons. The thought of not being an accomplished dancer (yet) makes her perpetually uncomfortable, compelling her to practice. As such, if her friends should suggest she skip practice one day, contemplating her options and the consequences will prove decisive. Specifically, the thought of delaying her goal (self-image) of becoming “an accomplished dancer” will likely make her more uncomfortable than the discomfort she will experience from the thought of not having fun with her friends.
The power of foresight
As we can see in our example, the other component in avoiding poor decision-making and bad behavior is foresight. In addition to having the mental ability to perform anticipatory exercises (thought experiments), learning to do so is a skill that can be taught. However, it is more typical for the skill of performing “thought experiments” (anticipatory exercises) to be gained and honed through experience. Unfortunately, people with limited intelligence are not inclined (and some are not able) to weigh possible and likely outcomes, especially far into the future.
Conclusion
The cause of poor decision-making and bad behavior is (1) not establishing empowering goals and (2) not looking ahead (for whatever reason). Establishing empowering goals makes people uncomfortable until those goals are achieved. Performing admirably is necessary to achieve them.
“External negative influences” have nothing to do with poor decision-making and bad behavior unless they somehow affect negatively one's ambition to set empowering goals. Should that be the case, then the focus of counseling should be on re-instilling the patient's desire to set goals that are empowering.