Lucio’s Syndrome: The Adopted Conditioning

Lucio is the protagonist of the experiment that gives the syndrome its name. His behavior in this investigation was the starting point for what is currently known as “Lucio’s syndrome”. But what does this little fish teach us?

We have more of Lucio than we think. Although we do not live in water or have gills, we can feel identified with it when we learn its history. In addition, knowing Lucio syndrome will probably make us reflect on our behavior or thinking in certain situations.

Lucio syndrome: the experiment

During this test our friend left a great teaching to scientists and psychologists. It was later compared to what we humans do. Apparently, the way a fish and a person act have more points in common than it seems.

The experiment that gave rise to Lucio’s syndrome was very simple: the fish in question was placed in a tank divided into two parts by a transparent glass. He was on one side and his food on the other (small tents).

The first thing Lucio did was try to have lunch that feast that was before his eyes. But when he was reaching the dam he hit the glass.

He tried again and again until he gave up and changed direction by swimming in his portion of the fish tank. The researchers removed the glass, but Lucio continued to behave as if it existed and did not try to access the food again, staying on his side of the fish tank.

Why? Because his experience had conditioned him and he was sure that there was no way to access them.

Lucio syndrome applied to people

Something similar to what happens to Lucio happens to the elephant in the famous story by Jorge Bucay. This elephant is chained when it is small. Some chains that at that moment do not allow him to escape, however, when he grows up they remain weak in front of his new strength and even then he does not try to escape again. Something like this happens to us often.

Although conditions change, we grow and we acquire new skills, we will not try again because in our experience resides the memory that we will fail.

If we believe that we have all the complete information about a situation, but cannot complete our mission, we present Lucio syndrome. We accept that disability that we have acquired thanks to our previous experience. If something did not work in the past, we believe that the same will happen in the present or future.

We refuse to look for or consider other options or perspectives, we lower our heads and give up, we plant a white flag without trying again because we have already done it and we have not achieved good results.

Whether it’s from family learnings, personal experiences, or misinformation we’ve collected, we can act like Lucio and never try again.

Make a new effort

Every time you say “I’ve tried enough” or “there’s nothing else I can do,” think again. It may be that the situation has changed and that someone or you have removed the crystal that separates you from your goal. Put yourself to analyze what you have lacked to do and go for it.

Do not forget that change and transformation is much more common than the constant and permanent: your needs, your skills, your future, your expectations … If today has not been possible, try it tomorrow or next month. Do not lower your arms or suffer during the process, better take the opportunity to learn from it.

Let nothing and no one condition you and change your beliefs and thoughts. You don’t even have the right to do it. Think of Lucio the next time there is a task that is too difficult you must face… but don’t act like him.

Find a way to succeed even if it costs you time, energy and resources. The reward of achieving your goal is enough to try one more time.