Social Influences On Behavior

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Running head: SOCIAL INFLUENCES Social Influences on Behavior University of Phoenix Social Influences on Behavior Sitting in church watching Mr. Smith dressed in a fine expensive suit, in the front row pew with his elegant wife and properly behaved children, it would be difficult to imagine that just last night he was sitting at the local strip joint, drunk and disheveled shouting vulgarities as he put bills in the dancer’s G string. People behave differently in the presence of others. We are taught young that there are behavior expectations based on the social situation we are in. We are expected to be quiet in a movie or the library, we dress appropriately when we go to work, but it is ok to shout and run around in your pajamas in your home. 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. Let’s explore how social influences affect each of these. Aggression Aggression hostile or destructive behavior or a forceful action or procedure. When thinking of how aggressive behavior changes in a social situation or environment the first image that comes to mind is a sporting event. Pictures on the news of riots at soccer games along with rioting in the streets after a championship game. People that normally would not consider such aggressive or destructive behavior caught up in the aggressive group mentality. It might start as simple as verbal—singing, chanting, and yelling taunts or obscenities increase to throwing items such as food, drinks, bottles, at random targets

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