Teens may also think that drinking that one drink will display a positive image on theirs peers. So the symbolic meaning of underaged drinking overrides the education that the teens have been given on underaged drinking. The symbolic interactionism analysis society by the descriptive meanings that people have given to objects, events and behaviors. The behavioral pattern of the people will be based on these descriptive meanings because people behave according to their descriptive believes rather than objective truth. These descriptive believe and meanings are nothing but interpretations given by the people thus the theory suggest that society is based on the interpretations of the people.
Depending on where you are, or who you are with, will determine the expected and acceptable behavior. People behave differently in the presence of others. Two examples of behaviors influenced by social settings might be aggression and drug use. Both of these behaviors might be seen as acceptable or non acceptable depending on the social situation. Both are behaviors that people frequently change based on their current social environment.
Sociology differs from social psychology because sociology specifically looks at the different social behaviors and the surrounding influences at more of a broader view. Sociologists look at and their interests are with the institution and also the different cultures that influence how people behave. Psychologists or researchers use many different scientific methods to conduct their research in social psychology. Some examples of these methods are; descriptive research- shows what may already exist within a group.
At one time or another everyone has been affected by social Influences. Because humans are very social creatures, we each have an effect on one another. Our family, our friends, our socioeconomic status, our culture, and even our gender can affect our behavior, our attitudes, and sometimes even our emotions. Some of these influences can be both positive and negative. Social Psychologists study these different types of pressure and agree that the three major kinds of influences are conformity, compliance, and obedience.
Social psychologist observe human behavior and significance of influence by outside sources such as people, society, environment, and culture. Social psychologist focus on facts that underline human behavior in social settings and how individuals’ conduct him or herself under various conditions, thus, leading to behavior, actions, and feelings. According to Mcleod (2007), “Topics examined in social psychology include: the self-concept, social cognition, attribution theory, social influence, group processes, prejudice and discrimination, interpersonal processes, aggression, attitudes and stereotypes” (para. 3). Social Psychology
Why do they stand by in a group and watch an individual be beaten rather than step up to help? These are the questions that have been researched by social psychologists and we will discuss some of the answers to these questions. We will begin by examining what some of the foundational concepts behind the way people interact are from a social psychology point of view. Communication is a key concept behind how people interact with each other. There are two major forms of communication, verbal and nonverbal.
Social Influences on Behavior Erika Whitacre PSY300 Betsy Ferronato July 7, 2014 Social Influences on Behavior Social psychology is the study of human behavior is response to other people and social situations. Within this study, factors contributing to the shift in behavior when around peers include self concept, social cognition, theory of attribution, social influence, group processes, prejudice and discrimination, interpersonal process, aggression, attitudes, as well as stereotypes. Social psychologists examine how these factors and conditions contribute to the behavior, feelings, thoughts, intentions, and goals of an individual within a group setting (McLeod, 2007). Humans are social by nature and learn through observation as well as instinct. This is apparent through the differences in culture and how that produces difference of opinion, attire, family dynamic and verbal communication.
Social Influences on Behavior By: Sara Tinker PSY-300 November 28, 2011 Dan Erickson Social psychology, a combination of psychology and sociology, is the study of the influence on individual behavior brought by the actual, imaginary, or implied presence of others (Gergen & Gergen, 2011). Such influence can alter or enhance one’s own beliefs and actions. Humans are inheritably social creatures often seeking others to fill the need to be loved or praised and in some cases to be different or seek motivation. The need and existence of these emotions and feelings can create positive or negative behavioral changes. Such behaviors can be seen every day in athletic events or in political topics such as homo-sexuality.
Since then social influence has become a field of study devoted to discovering the principles that determine our beliefs, create attitudes, and move us to action. Two forms of social influence are conformity (majority influence) and minority influence. Conformity is where a larger group of people change the behaviour (but not necessarily the attitudes and beliefs) of an individual or smaller group while minority influence is where a small group or an individual change the behaviour and usually the beliefs of an individual. The difference is both in the size of the ‘group’ causing the influence and the type of change it creates in the individual (compliance or conversion). As stated above majority influence is when adapt the behaviour, attitudes or values of the majority after being exposed to their values or behaviour.
“In social situations behavior adjusts to facilitate the area around a person. There are influences on social behavior but there is also the persons actions and whether or not these actions are socially acceptable behavior or not". There have been so many studies done on human social behavior, because there are many various behaviors and even more influences, such as genetic, environmental, religious, cultural, financial, educational, the list goes on and on. "Social psychology is the scientific study of how people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others “ said American psychologist, Gordon Allport, . (Gupta, unknown) When people draw conclusions about behaviors they give it attributions."