Social Interaction Essay

1400 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Social influences on behaviour

Social interactions can affect how an individual reacts, behaves, and feels. This means that social interactions can affect every aspect of individual’s life. When a social interaction changes how an individual behaves or feels, means that this interaction had an effect on that individual. Another way that social interactions effect individuals is through the idea of conformity and obedience. Both classical and contemporary research studies look at the affect social interactions have on an individual’s behavior. Another aspect of these concepts is the concept that societal influences can lead to deviance from dominant group norms.
According to Fiske (2010), conformity can be defined as the influence of the majority on individual behavior. This means that an “in-group” or crowd of people can cause another individual to act or behave according to the norm of their particular group. Conformity can be seen in many areas of life and social interactions. An example of professional conformity would be getting acclimated to a new set of rules or norms within the work place. An example of conformity would be the German populace who conformed to Hitler’s rules, during WWII. In this case some of the German people were with Hitler and others conformed so that they would be safe. In many cases conformity can mean going outside of what a person believes in order to conform to the new rules. Conformity can also be very negative in nature. An example of negative conformity could be described as a situation that includes a person being pressured into conformity to the norms of a certain group. This conformity can mean that an individual will have to change their behaviors and feelings in order to conform to a different set of rule...

... middle of paper ...

...e influences can be positive and help develop a more prosperous individual that will contribute to societal norms or the in group mentality. On the other had social influences can also be negative. In many cases how another group perceives an individual can determine if they will change or conform in a negative or positive way. Negative transformations can cause a person to be seen as societal deviant and therefore outside of society. Conformity and obedience should be seen as two separate ways for an individual to change and become acclimated to either the in group or out group of society. Both conformity and obedience can be negative or positive in nature and can be viewed as such. No matter the change that an individual will make to themselves it is important to remember that in many cases this is due societal norms and the influence that they have on them.

Show More
Related

  • Social Psychology Essay

    660 Words  | 2 Pages

    Social psychology is a scientific study that studies how people think, feel, and how they behave under the influence of other people (Aronson, Wilson & Akert, 2013, p. 2). Thinking about what social influence really means, we tend to think of a person who tries to persuade another person to acting a certain way. It can be a form of peer pressure, like taking that first puff of a cigarette, or it can be conforming to popular societal views, such as obeying the law of the land. Fiction is a great way to learn about social psychological perspectives. Watching popular theatrical films is the perfect way to learn because it illustrates the application of many perceptions within the subject of social psychology.

    Read More

  • Illegal Immigration: Negative Deviance

    1236 Words  | 3 Pages

    ... Involvement, the more we involve ourselves with the people in that group the more we’ll seek their approval of them causing us to conform. Beliefs, when people share the same norms and values they are less likely to argue and resist conformity. If social bonds are weak then the chances of becoming deviant is increased. Those that lack these four basic elements of social bonding will have little respect for society and do whatever they want.

    Read More

  • The Definition Of Conformity And Non-Conformity In Society

    1805 Words  | 4 Pages

    The definition of conformity is the compliance with social standards and laws in a particular culture, environment, society and time. If this occurs the individual changes their attitudes, beliefs or actions to align more holistically with those in the surrounding groups and environment, as a result of real or perceived group pressure. This is ultimately a direct result of the power which a group has over the individual. There are two types of conformity, normative conformity, and informational conformity. The motivation behind normative conformity is the desire to be liked and accepted in society. This is most widely known as peer pressure. For example, a student begins smoking because their peers

    Read More

  • Social Norms in Society

    1041 Words  | 3 Pages

    Cialdini, Robert B, & Trost, Melanie R. (1998). Social Influence: Social Norms, Conformity, & Compliance. Interpersonal Phenomena. Retrieved from: angel.elmira.edu/section/default.asp?id=w114_PSY3010_01.

    Read More

  • Conformity

    1489 Words  | 3 Pages

    “Conformity is a form of social influence that involves a change in behavior or belief so that one can fit in with a certain group” (McLeod). Such a change is a response to imagined (which involves the pressure of expectations or social norms) or real (which involves the presence of others) group pressure. Another definition of conformity can be “yielding to group pressures”. Group pressure can take many forms, for example persuasion, teasing, bullying, criticism etc. Conformity is also referred to as group pressure or majority influence. The term conformity is mostly used to show an agreement to the position of the majority, and this is brought about by either by the desire to be liked or to fit in, or just to match a social role. The aim of this paper is to argue that conformity is among people because they always live in groups-work groups, family, political, religious and social groups. At the same instance, they are adjusted to obey authority. A conformist mentality makes it easy for people to be influenced by others.

    Read More

  • Internal And External Influences In Psychology

    737 Words  | 2 Pages

    There are many things that influence our behavior from external influences to social norms.  Social norms often have influences on human behavior. These norms are the standards of acceptable attitudes and behavior within a society. External influences also play a role within social norms. The role that external influences play

    Read More

  • Conformity In Never Let Me Go

    1486 Words  | 3 Pages

    How do the actions and words of a society affect the way people act? In Never Let Me Go, author Kazuo Ishiguro depicts a society in which individuality is threatened by the pressure to conform through methods such as peer pressure and social expectations. Without a doubt, peer pressure is most commonly found in schools today just as social expectations are suffocating the middle class’ desire to become their own unique person.

    Read More

  • How Nice People Get Corrupted

    721 Words  | 2 Pages

    Conformity is defined as a change in behavior or belief to accord with others. (Meyers 170) What other people do and say can gradually influence others to deviate from ones beliefs and conform to others. One of the most famous documented studies to better illustrate this was a procedure performed by social psychologist, Solomon Asch.

    Read More

  • Social Observation Essay

    796 Words  | 2 Pages

    Thinking about normal social interactions and normal social behaviors, I think of comfortable. When I sit down with a friend, a usual routine is followed, “Hey, how are you, what’s new?” (e.g. My turn, your turn). These questions between my friend and I include eye contact, attention, and facial expression. Usually, I feel that I give my friend my undivided attention. Other normal characteristics include: remembering what the person has just said so a comment can be made, as well as each comment is appropriate and in relation to the current topic. Moreover, the duration between each question or comment is short.

    Read More

  • Sigmund Freud's Theory Of Conformity

    1722 Words  | 4 Pages

    Conformity is defined as behavior in accordance with socially accepted conventions or standards. This is not a good or bad thing, this just is. It exists as a compliment to earlier humans congregating into larger groups, using agriculture and domestication to create sustenance. Also, conformity is essential for life. We need people to share the same ideas, ideologies and a way of thinking in order to work efficiently and effectively. There many examples that exist like, at work or in your house and even within yourself. Sigmund Freud has explained the phenomena of group psychology in a piece titled, Group Psychology and the Analysis of the Ego. Using Freud’s theory of conformity I will explain the self, what we call “me”,and its different constituents using The Principles of Psychology by

    Read More

  • Conformity In The Social Animal By Elliot Aronson

    381 Words  | 1 Pages

    Elliot Aronson (2012) provides a definition of conformity, two social psychological processes that underlie a conformity and cited examples of reasons why people conform in the book, The Social Animal. Aronson (2012) defines a conformity as “a change in a person’s behavior or opinion as a result of real or imagined pressure from a person or group of people” (p.19). In accordance with Aronson’s (2012) definition of conformity, people do conform owing to the social influence, which are two main social psychological processes: belonging and getting information.

    Read More

  • Social Psychology Essay

    853 Words  | 2 Pages

    Discuss the social psychological approach in psychology and identify the kinds of questions that social psychologists attempt to answer.

    Read More

  • Interpersonal Relationships Essay

    1300 Words  | 3 Pages

    There are many different types of relationships. From your neighbor to your significant other, experiencing different relationships is a part of everyday life. Wether you posses good or bad communication skills will affect the interpersonal relationships within your life. The popular television series Modern Family is a good example of the different types of friendships, types of love, and relationship theories that encompass the everyday person.

    Read More

  • Two Types Of Conformity And Non-Conformity In Society

    1768 Words  | 4 Pages

    Conformity is defined as the compliance with social standards and laws in a particular culture, environment, society and time. If this occurs the individual changes their attitudes, beliefs or actions to align more holistically with those in the surrounding groups and environment, as a result of real or perceived group pressure. This is ultimately a direct result of the power which a group has over the individual. There are two types of conformity, normative conformity, and informational conformity. Normative conformity is motivated by the desire to be liked and accepted in society. This is most widely known as peer pressure. For example, a student begins smoking because their peers are smoking,

    Read More

  • Group Influence Essay

    2403 Words  | 5 Pages

    The group wants the individual to conform to their ideals and normative values and actions (Smelser, 1963). The group influence stresses conformity, or the adhering to the standards of the group, as a way to create a structural level of dominance and submission in a way. The group wants cohesiveness so that everyone in the group is following the same set of standards and will all act the same way (Smelser, 1963). Group influence can at times be beneficial, there are times when the individual should participate in actions that have been influenced by the group. These actions could include such things as: being polite, having table manners, using a proper greeting, doing homework, not being disrespectful in places of worship, and so forth. Group influence can

    Read More

More about Social Interaction Essay

Open Document