Malleable Mind Can Be Swayed

¶ … malleable mind can be swayed easily and therefore persuaded to do almost anything. Likewise, a malleable person learns readily and is open to new ideas. Malleable in any context means bendable, flexible, and capable of being molded. Like soft plastic or moist clay, a malleable person is one who is pliable and yielding to pressure. A malleable person is probably easy-going and might be described as being soft and gentle. Children are referred to as being malleable and they are so both in body and in mind. However, malleability does not necessarily entail weakness. Many physical materials are both malleable and strong, such as gold. Therefore, a malleable person possesses valuable personality traits and finds strength in flexibility.

A malleable person is willing and able to change in order to suit his or her surroundings and circumstances. Changeability is a desirable trait because it connotes progress and growth. Being malleable means being willing to see and understand other people's perspectives. If a person lacks malleability he or she will stand rigidly, clinging tightly to points-of-view, opinions, or character traits that do not serve his or her best interests. Such stubbornness can come in handy in extreme circumstances but for the most part malleability is preferable to rigidity. The epitome of intelligence is being open to and accepting of new ideas. Therefore, malleable people are also intelligent and progressive people.

Malleability implies impressionability too. Just as gold or hot wax can accept any imprint pressed upon it, so too can a malleable mind. Learning requires some degree of impressionability, as the student needs to accept new information willingly and without judgmentalism or resistance. At the same time, a person can be overly impressionable. Challenging new ideas increases critical thinking habits and so malleability can become a fault when taken to an extreme. Ideally, a malleable person remains strong enough, true enough to his or her own values to accept new ideas without sacrificing integrity. A malleable person can learn how to listen to novel ideas and challenge them gracefully. Instead of accepting anything that is impressed upon the mind, a malleable person can learn discernment. Young minds are more easily impressionable than older minds, which is why young people are more susceptible to peer pressure or marketing tactics. The ability to think critically can enable a young, impressionable mind to remain both flexible and strong.

Children are more malleable than older adults, who often become stuck in their ways. Habits are acquired or eliminated by being malleable and open to change. Therefore, being malleable means sometimes adopting bad habits but being equally as able to practice good habits too. Malleable persons are more likely to take criticism to heart and change to suit new situations. However, being too malleable can result in a loss of integrity or in a weak character. A person who is too malleable may be called a pushover, or someone who is easily taken advantage of or abused. Kicking a malleable person is easier than kicking a person made of steal. Malleable persons with a strong self-image can overcome their potential weaknesses.