Social Influences On Behavior Paper

Social Influences on Behavior Paper
Week-Five Assignment Paper
University of Phoenix
PSY300 General Psychology

Human interaction is a type of action that occurs as two or more human beings have an effect upon one another. Individuals are often unaware of many of the factors that determine their emotions and behavior. Simply, we adapt to our surroundings. Every situation and setting requires a different set of mannerisms. For example, people act differently at work then when they're with friends. Work is often a lot more strict and proper and to maintain those expectations, one must carefully consider what they say and what they do. But on the other hand, being with friends is a much more casual thing--you can talk about pretty much
Social Influences on Behavior This essay examines basic concepts of human interaction from a psychology perspective. In this examination, two examples of how human behavior changes based on social situation are described. Behavior is contagious. One person giggles, coughs, or yawns, and others in the group are soon doing the same. A cluster of people stands gazing upward, and passersby pause to do likewise. Laughter, even canned laughter, can be infectious. Bartenders and street musicians know to ``seed ' their tip cups with money that suggests that others have given. This suggestibility is a subtle type of conformity .Conformity involves adjusting our thinking and behavior to bring it into line with some group standard. But why do people comply with this social influence? Why do we clap when others clap, eat as others eat, believe what others believe, even see what others see? Frequently, it is to avoid rejection or to gain social approval. In such cases , we are responding to what social psychologists call normative social influence .We are sensitive to social norms - understood rules for accepted and expected behavior- because the price we pay for being
This is a natural characteristic of mine that I have had as far back as I can possibly remember. I see this behavior in just about everyone I have come across; it just sometimes comes out very differently in different people. Some people’s behaviors and attitudes can be positive and there are even some people who have negative reactions to certain groups of people who they are surrounded by. When I am in a room surrounded by children I definitely see a change in my behavior and attitudes. Since I can remember I have always loved children and loved being in their presence. When I am in the presence of children I have noticed and also have been told by others that my voice will change almost as if it adapts to the children’s voices or to put me at a level with the children. It is actually a very interesting thing and I have seen it happen to other people as well, and I suppose I never noticed it until it was brought to my attention. I definitely do it when talking to an infant. Also, another way my behavior changes are I will actually get down to the child’s level and play with them as if I were their age. For example, if a little girl is playing with dolls I will also grab a doll and play with the little girl to entertain her and