The Power of Life Trajectories: Unraveling the Complexity of Our Actions

We over simplify with judgment. We seek the easy way out, ignoring the complexities. Behaviors, emotions and thoughts are not singular but a construction of millions of inconceivable proceeding events—both occurring within our mind and the surrounding environments. Our complex selves, pasts and biology set in motion our life trajectory.

A behavior, emotion or thought materialized from a chain of past events and current triggers. We often condemn or admire the immediate expression as hurtful or charitable, and this is our prerogative, however, nothing stands on its own. Everything comes from somewhere. We have a right to moral standards of behavior; but our hatred of actions that we judge as bad must be tempered with understanding. Any single event is the final act, proceeding from a long chain of events. Our judgments are shortsighted, missing the complexity.

Life Histories and Trajectories

In my current position, I review thousands of criminal histories; often examining police contacts spanning over forty years or more of a person’s life. I have noticed a common pattern that has significantly softened my biases. A typical pattern resembles something like this: Several reports listing the subject as a victim of child abuse or neglect; followed by several reports of petty crimes and truancy (during teenage years); a spattering of drug charges and, perhaps, a couple driving under the influence (DUI) arrests, and then reports of domestic violence either as a victim or suspect.

​Many lives have hidden chains of events leading to the unhealthy and unscrupulous actions with many trajectories beginning while the embryo is still in the womb.

Life course theory in psychology examines how histories play into fairly predictable futures. Life course theory examines human life within changing environments, examining life pathways within the context of their histories. Glen H. Elder explains that life course “provides a framework for studying phenomenons at the nexus of social pathways, developmental trajectories, and social change” (Elder et al., 2003).

Our life happenings, combined with our biological makeup point to a future. This is our trajectory. Trajectories, however, are far from a straight course. We hit many notable events during early development that impact the direction of our lives. In psychology, we refer to these events as transitions.

See Life Events Theory and Life Transitions for more on these topics

Life Altering Events

Unforeseen circumstances have the potential to disrupt our journey towards a healthy and fulfilling life, or conversely, provide us with the opportunity to reassess and realign ourselves away from undesirable paths. The impact of trauma and tragedy is profound, shaping the future in ways that we may not have previously fathomed. Whether it’s a singular, significant event with far-reaching consequences, or a series of smaller yet repetitive occurrences, each possesses the profound ability to alter the course of our lives in ways that we cannot always anticipate.

See Life Altering Events for more on this topic

Childhood Abuse and Life Trajectories

Heinous crimes against others certainly are inappropriate and pasts don’t justify cruelty. Yet, childhood neglect and abuse set the trajectory that if left unchallenged may destroy futures. A little boy abandoned by his father when he was three, abused and belittled by the stream of men in and out of his mother’s life, grows into an insecure lover. The little girl repeatedly sexually abused must live with high anxiety.

We may judge their relationship failings as ‘bad’, labelling them as narcissistic or neurotic, but ignore the sorrows that strongly contributed to the formation of their personalities.

See Childhood Trauma for more on this topic

Emotional Abuse and Life Trajectories

The reported crimes are only a small sampling of damaging events. There are no laws against emotional neglect. But emotionally ignored children grow into adult with notable emotional processing deficits in their lives. Their actions and reactions are influenced by what they experienced and didn’t experience. An early life without emotional validation often is internalized, carried into adulthood, leading to a life of self criticism and shame.

Examining an event conveniently isolated from complex proceeding causes constrains judgments to the limited known information, creating damning biases. We may curse the final event without knowing anything of substance about the perpetrator.

See Emotional Abuse for more on this topic

Can We Change Life Trajectories?

The impact of notable events on our lives is truly profound. Whether it’s a tragic occurrence or an unexpected encounter with someone influential, these instances have the potential to steer our futures in entirely new directions. It’s fascinating how such circumstances can result in unforeseen transformations, altering the course of our lives in ways we could have never predicted. Despite this, it may seem that we have a degree of agency in shaping our own destinies, at least on the surface.

We possess the freedom to make changes, to exert our influence by making choices that can significantly impact the trajectory of our lives. Through these choices, we have the ability to shape our environments and ultimately set the course for our future experiences and opportunities.

The idea that we have some empowerment over the future is the basis for change. Several psychology theories are built around the concept of changing life trajectories.

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (1934-2021), distinguished researcher who developed the concept and theory of flow, wrote:

“People who lead a satisfying life, who are in tune with their past and with their future—in short, people whom we would call “happy”—are generally individuals who have lived their lives according to rules they themselves created.” He continues, “they understand their motives and their limitations. They have carved out a small freedom of choice” (Csikszentmihalyi, 2009).

Perhaps, it is within this small window of our perception of personal choice that creates the opportunity to change life trajectories.

Separating the Action from the Actor

​Inappropriate actions that hurt others shouldn’t be unequivocally excused of consequence. Life would be chaotic. Consequences are the primary schoolmasters bestowing wisdom. An abused partner has a right to not be abused. They shouldn’t excuse the abuser’s behavior because he or she had a disjointed childhood. Those hurt deserve a safe environment free of violence, no matter what the actor’s history.​ The dastardly actions, although influenced by a host of causes, are not excusable. But as a society and as compassionate people, we must look to the complexity of causes if we desire to create change.

​We must transcend the simple good and bad judgments, splitting life into rigid categories. If we want to be progressive, moving beyond faulty blame, examining more fundamental influencing factors. The invisible events the created the harmful life trajectories.

Associated Concepts

• Life Script Theory: This concept of Transactional Analysis posits that individuals unconsciously develop life plans during childhood, influenced by parental messages and early life experiences. These scripts, often self-fulfilling prophecies, shape our beliefs, behaviors, and relationships throughout life.
• Hope Theory: This theory focuses on the role of hope in motivation and the pursuit of goals. According to hope theory, individuals with high hope have the belief that they can find ways to achieve their goals (agency thinking) and the motivation to use those pathways (pathways thinking).
• Malignant Self-Regard: This term term describes a pervasive and destructive pattern of self-perception characterized by chronic self-criticism, self-loathing, and an overarching sense of inadequacy.
• Self-Empowerment Theory: This concept centers around enhancing an individual’s sense of control, autonomy, and self-efficacy. This theory emphasizes the importance of internal motivation, self-awareness, and the development of personal strengths in order to achieve goals and overcome challenges.
• Self Determination Theory: This theory on human motivation and personality explores people’s inherent growth tendencies and innate psychological needs. It posits that humans have three basic psychological needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness.
• Reciprocal Gene-Environment Model: This model emphasizes the dynamic interaction between genetic predispositions and environmental factors in shaping human behavior. This framework highlights a feedback loop where genes influence the environments individuals seek, which in turn affects gene expression, challenging the traditional nature-nurture debate and enhancing our understanding of human development.
• Learned Helplessness: This refers to a condition of giving up after repeated failed attempts to overcome adverse events. Helplessness continues even when a clear avenue escape is available. Helplessness is associated with depression.

A Few Words from Psychology Fanatic

We can’t afford to wait for larger social movements to make these necessary changes. We need to be involved. Above all, we must be informed and active. Consequently, we can make a difference. Flourishing Life is more than personal success, personal peace, and personal growth. Flourishing life is a worldwide project, putting our communities, our nations, and the world on a positive trajectory of betterment.

Last updated: December 5, 2025

Resources:

Csikszentmihalyi, Mihaly (2009). The Evolving Self: Psychology for the Third Millennium. HarperCollins; Reprint edition. ISBN-10: 0062842587
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Elder, Glen H.; Johnson, Monica Kirkpatrick; Crosnoe, Robert (2003). The Emergence and Development of Life Course Theory. Jaylen T. Mortimer, Michael J. Shanahan (eds.), Handbook of the Life Course. Springer, Boston, MA, 2003. 3-19.​ ISBN: 9780306474989 DOI: 10.1007/b100507
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