impressionable

This term describes a state of psychological openness where an individual lacks the critical filters to resist external influence. It carries a strong association with youth, innocence, and vulnerability, suggesting a mind that is like soft wax, capable of being molded by whoever provides the strongest example. While it can be used neutrally in developmental psychology, it often carries a cautionary tone in social contexts. It implies a risk of manipulation or the adoption of harmful habits because the person cannot yet distinguish between a positive role model and a negative one.