Condicionades

Condicionades is a Catalan term that, in sociolinguistic and philosophical contexts, can function as either an adjective or a noun in the feminine plural. It refers to persons or groups understood as shaped or determined by conditioning processes—factors such as social, economic, educational, cultural, or media environments that influence behavior, opportunities, and outcomes.

Etymology and grammar: the word derives from the verb condicionar (to condition). The feminine plural form condicionades reflects standard Catalan morphology for past participles used as adjectives or nouns. In use, it can describe people, populations, or phenomena that are regarded as being under the influence of external conditions, for example “condicionades per la pobresa” (conditioned by poverty) or “subjectes condicionades per l’estructura educativa”.

Usage and scope: Condicionades appears mainly in theoretical writing within sociology, political science, and cultural studies. It is employed to discuss how structural factors contribute to repeated patterns of behavior, opportunities, and constraints, often in relation to concepts like social reproduction and habitus. The term emphasizes external determinants over individual autonomy, though it is commonly paired with discussions of agency and resistance. It is less common in everyday Catalan, where phrasing alternatives such as “condicionades per factors X” or “els condicionats” might be preferred in some contexts.

Related concepts: conditioning in social systems, habitus, social determinants of health, structural inequality. While condicionades is recognized in Catalan-language discourse, its exact usage can vary by author, and it is often complemented by broader terms that describe the mechanisms by which conditions influence individuals and groups.