Behavior Changes Based on Social Situations

Behavior Changes Based on Social Situations

Kristie Daniel

PSY/300

April 26, 2011

Gerry Ann Juchniewicz

Behavior Changes Based on Social Situations

Social influences can influence behavior in many different ways. One specific behavior that is affected by social influence is drinking behaviors. Another behavior influenced in this way is compliance. These behaviors observed in different situations show the direct link between the societal norms and the perceived beliefs in the individuals. The consequences of these behaviors have been psychologically analyzed in terms of concepts. The associated phenomenon dealing with such behaviors shows that society influences by law making and demanding ethics among its people (Schueler, 1997). These two documented behaviors may or may not need therapeutic interventions depending on how the behavior is carried out and if the behavior leads to future repercussions. Without examining social influences, psychologists will not be able to determine how or if to help individuals demonstrating behaviors of drinking and/or compliance.

Social Influences

Social influences on behaviors of drinking from the transition from adolescence to adulthood are directly related. The presumed accepted norm of drinking puts added pressure on college age people, or roughly age 18 to 25, to begin or to increase their behavior of drinking (White, 2004). This can lead to further long-term addiction issues later in life as the behavior starts at a vulnerable time in a person's life. The transition from leaving home, starting their own lives, and pressures of perceived social norms can almost be too great for some. This behavior has been especially noticed "in North America and other industrialized societies" (White, 2004). In these areas, drinking is condoned, encouraged, and even expected. Demographic issues such as gender and race do not seem affect the behavior outcomes drastically, although marriage and parenthood does (White, 2004). It is believed that the social influences heavily influence the intake of alcohol.

Social Factors

The levels of compliant behavior have been found to be influenced by social factors, as well as personal and cultural (Chen S. X., 2006). Compliance is when people make their decision based on what they feel society, neighbors, and family would do, and following suit. In cultures where the society is considered collective or interdependent, the motivation to follow the wishes of compliance is stronger than that of societies that are considered individualists or independents (Chen S. X., 2006). Basically, the individuals in the cultures, that are collective, such as Japan, make their decisions to do or not do a specific request based on what the rest of society would do (Chen S. X., 2006). The intermingling of family and society in these cultures are based on their moral and cultural beliefs as well. The laws, ethics, media, and traditions are all part of what makes up the norms of society (Schueler, 1997).

Comparison

As these two behaviors were studied separately, the ramifications of the conclusions stand firm. Society has influences over the behavior that is present in their areas. If the behavior is negative or if it is just making decisions, people allow the influences of society and its norms to determine which actions to take. People look to acceptable behaviors in society to further assess what actions they will take in life. A strong moral society will have good moral decisions being made by its inhabitants while societies with loose morals will do what they have to do to remain in good favor of their society outlook (Chen S. X., 2006). As people need to feel that they are a part of a whole this strengthens the society's influence over them (Walker, 2011). Consistency plays its part in this scenario as people's need is to seek out consistency (Walker, 2011).

Consequences

Examining