I think that past experiences might result in becoming more cautious in executing speech. If we maladaptively link this cautiousness to speech execution (by unnecessarily learning to need unnecessary needs to execute the speech plan), it can result in setting up defenses to express ourselves — to express the authentic speech. But not just past experiences increase this protection mechanism to execute speech. After having experienced those events, I think our subconscious starts refining and developing a narrative. If this narrative or story-telling sustains this protection cycle in any way, then I'd call that process **maladaptive refining**. This refining occurs over a lifetime, reinforcing the protection mechanism. I think there are also other elements (that we have at least some control over) that refine the defenses to express ourselves: the way we've been raised, the way our environment draws conclusions, the way we ourselves interpret our situation… All those subconscious elements refine our **attitude/mindset** and, **perfectionism** and other cognitive distortions. So: * past experiences * attitude/mindset * outlook/stance/posture/orientation/morale * beliefs * values * motivation * intention * confidence in our ability * resilience **Conclusion**: So past experiences could influence attitude, outlook, cognitive distortion, beliefs, intention, confidence in our ability to express communication, etc. Don't forget that, by default, humans tend to become more cautious. For example, 12-year-olds are more cautious in speech expression than 4-year-olds who blurt things out too quickly. Over time, humans feel the need to be more formal, respectful, precise in their wording, etc. But if the narrative or protection mechanism is **not** maladaptive (i.e., not incorrectly refined), then no stuttering occurs (in my opinion) — even when children develop the need to become more respectful, formal and cautious. I think only people who already had developed a maladaptive refined cautiousness or protection mechanism to execute speech are at risk. In such cases, I think stuttering might increase if we **learn** to integrate formality or perfectionism to speak more perfectly (etc) — to execute speech.