Social Influences on Behavior

accessible Influences on Behavior Somchai Knorr Grantham University Social Influences on Behavior Sociologists and philosophers had recognized that people behave differently in crowds than they do as individuals and that a crowd is more than the mere sum of its parts (Kowalski & Western, 2005). Human behaviour changes based on amicable situations individuals whitethorn encounter, and these encounters may scram as early as toddler years. Individuals learn to adapt to society by changing their behavior in order to become in with the balance wheel of the crowd.Two examples of how an individuals behavior changes based on cordial situations are when a) a person decides to drink liquor at a social event. The second example of when an individuals behavior changes based on social situations is b) when a person decides to smoke marijuana or cigarettes. One may see these behaviors in an individual who regularly does not behave like so when they are trying to act like every superstar e lse. These behaviors may be seen in situations such as a party, a club, or a popular social event, where an individual will find it fitting to behave differently to get together recognition from other social crowds.Precursors and Consequences When he first off arrived on campus at age 18, he figured he had to drink if he wanted to fit in, even though the legal alcohol addiction age is 21 (Wilson, 2008). Students, especially in colleges and universities, find themselves in situations where they believe they have to take part in drinking and partying to get approval from the rest of the student body to increase their self-confidence and popularity. An example of social comparison would be a student drinking and smoking to fit in with the crowd.Adults may as well find themselves peer pressured to drink alcohol or smoke when taking part in outside activities, such as going out to clubs or attending social events, to sense relaxed or content. Drinking and smoking is advertised o n a casual basis as a way of enjoying the party. One example that I have observed would be with the recent kick off of the American football game season. My television sets are invaded with beer commercials emphasizing on how fans seem to enjoy the game more when they are drinking a beer, when I visit my ocal Wal-Mart or Publix, there is an area designed just for football fans made of beer products. Social psychology concepts concentrate on the individual and the situation in which that individual is in. As mentioned above, self-esteem is one of the examples that apply to individuals who commit liquor, marijuana or tobacco as a coping mechanism. The self-concept of one not being able to function officey without the liquor or the tobacco in their system is another concept of social psychology. In the long run the individual is at risk of bear on his or her health, their education, and their social standing.Associated Phenomenon Phenomenons such as social facilitation and socia l influence have been associated with behaviors, such as drinking and smoking in social events. Social influence Social influence, effects of the presence of others on the way people think, feel, and behave (Kowalski & Westen, 2005). Social influence is associated with both behaviors because the changes in behaviors are out-of-pocket to the attitudes of others or guidance towards a particular direction, in this case the drinking and smoking of tobacco or marijuana.Another example of how social influence affects the behavior of an individual in guiding them towards smoking or drinking with the perception that getting take aimd is pleasurable and accepted widely among other peers. One efficiency find themselves as the only person the collection of peers that does not smoke or drink, at one point or another they will involve themselves in the same activities because everyone else is drinking and smoking and they have not had any severe apparent consequences.When it becomes a routin e for everyone around oneself to party constantly and go on drinking and smoking binges, conformity is another phenomenon that occurs because this person is accommodating themselves to standards of the rest of the group. Social facilitation Social facilitation is another phenomenon that is associated to individuals who use drinking and smoking as an excuse to behave in a certain way. Individuals use drinking as a way to express their feelings better in a group of people or towards a certain individual.For example, when a person drinks while out at a club or a party, they may feel as if they have the confidence to approach others they may find attractive or laugh and dance within the group of partygoers. Small amounts of alcohol might dull painful feelings (C. A. M. H. , 2008). Just as individuals use drinking and smoking as a way to feel happy and relaxed others use these substances to feel numb. Individuals use alcohol as a gateway to forgetting any traumatic events in their lives such as being sexually, physically, or emotionally vitiated.The stress of dealing with other individuals, like a significant other, a parent, or a child, with mental or health issue as well leaves behind emotional distress, and one may feel that the way of dealing with the stress is to drink. Recently a close friend started smoking cigarettes I questioned her on why she had taken on this habit. Her resolution left me flabbergasted it seemed ridiculous to me, that she had taken on this habit because it was a way of dealing with the stress of having three children at the age of 21. Therapeutic disturbanceWhen an individual or an individuals family and friends consider alterative interpolation it is for the simple fact that the behavior has escalated to an uncontrollable decimal point. When an individual loses control of his or her life, the therapeutic intervention is what provides the guidance, origining, and inspiration for the person to engage the geted changes to get bac k on track. The determining factor of whether a person should consider therapeutic intervention or not is the frequency and quantity of alcohol, tobacco, or marijuana is consuming.Another determining factor would be the reason of why this individual has taken on this behavior. As mentioned earlier, many people begin smoking marijuana or cigarettes and begin drinking alcohol when they have encountered stressful situations as well as having to deal with traumatic events. Conclusion As examined, behaviors such as smoking and drinking are changed endured by worldly concerns based on social situations they encounter. Social situations such as parties or traumatic past events may trigger oneself to act a certain way or take on new-fangled habits.Individuals may feel that by partaking in certain activities their social standings will improve. Unfortunately, if the right amount of self control is not applied an individual may find oneself overwhelmed and become addicted to a substance or lifestyle. References Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. PAHO. (2008). Retrieved October11, 2009, from http//www. camh. net/About_Addiction_Mental_Health/Drug_and_Addiction_Informatio n/Women_and_Alcohol/alcohol_feelings. html Thadani, Vandana Huchting, Karen LaBrie, Joseph. (2009, August 1).Alcohol-related information in multi-component interventions and college students drinking behavior The Free Library. (2009). Retrieved October 10, 2009 from http//www. thefreelibrary. com/Alcohol-related information in multi-component interventions and -a0207704284 University of Phoenix. (2009). Week Five Readings Psychology, Chapter 15. Retrieved October 6, 2009, from University of Phoenix, Week Five, PSY/300General Psychology Web site. Wilson, Brenda. (2008, October23). University Uses Social Norming to Curb Drinking. NPR Health. Retrieved from http//www. npr. org/templates/ stage/story. php? storyId=95937183Social Influences on BehaviorAlbert weight was a 20th century serial killer, c hild rapist, sadomasochist, and cannibal. This paper is a brief description focused on the forces that impacted his life from the viewpoint of developmental psychology. The author made an effort to distinguish between the influences of hereditary and environment on psychological development. He also explains what family issues and social support systems may have influenced Albert Fishs developmental growth and adjustment.Two different theories of personality selected by the author was applied to Fish, which includes a discussion of how each theory differs in terms of how it explains Fishs unique patterns and traits. The author also makes a determination regarding which theory he believes outflank explains Fishs behaviors and achievements. Forces That Impact Life Developmental Psychology Developmental psychology is defined as The branch of psychology concerned with the study of modernized behavioral changes in an individual from birth until death (Farlex, 2011).Albert Fishs rough c hildhood contributed to the person he became, along with other factors that occurred throughout adulthood. He was born to poverty on may 19, 1870. His father passed away on October 15, 1875. His mother could not take care of Fish, therefore, she placed him in a apparitional orphans asylum called Saint Johns Orphanage. Here he learned to lie, cheat, beg, and steal. He also experienced and seen wrong-doings no boy, or person, should. Albert Fish was whipped bare-bottomed at the orphanage and was forced to witness other boys being whipped.He said this abuse was the beginning of his ruined mind. During his interview, before his execution, he said he felt his first sex feeling while watching the other boys be whipped, which eventually developed while he was receiving the abuse. When Fish left the orphanage, he felt the need to satisfy these sexual urges with sexual experimentation and prostitution, which included men. His needs and urges became very sadomasochistic. He enjoyed what hur t. He inflicted pain on not only himself, but also on others.He would not stop until he reached his climax, and progress on with the torcher for days. In his late 20s, Albert Fish married. His wife had the same types of sexual interest as he. While he was married, he continued to lead a double life by fulfilling his sadomasochistic fantasies with boys. He made this way of life considerably obtainable by working as a traveling housepainter and being away more than he was home. Fish traveled all over the get together States. I had children in every state, Albert Fish stated during his interview (Borowski, 2006).After 19 years of marriage, Albert Fishs wife left him for another man. She had move their six children off to the movies, and they came home to an empty house. He came home to find his six children alone and discover she had taken everything. Fish believed this was his breaking point. His children testified, during his trial, although he neer hit them or raised his voice t o them, they did witness his self-torcher. They testified to finding blood covered boards with nails sticking out of one end and to seeing him drive needles into himself.An roentgen ray was taken of his pelvic region that showed 29 needles lodged within. In 1928, approximately five years after his wife abandoned him and their children, Albert Fish decided to act upon a growing urge. He responded to a newspaper advertisement of a untested boy looking for employment. After he responded by telegram, he arrived at the young mans house, bearing lunch. He quickly lost interest in the young man once Fish seen his younger sister, Grace Budd. He convinced her parents to let him take her to his nieces birthday party, which was fictional. She was to never be seen again.Albert took Grace to an old abandoned house where he tricked her into coming into the house where he was naked, waiting for her. He strangled her, cut her up into little pieces, and devoured her. Fish said that he got the idea of cannibalism from his uncle in 1894, which was never verified. His uncle, Captain John Daus, sailed to china during the time of a famine. Children were sold to be butchered. They were brought out in parts to be cut to ones choo ejaculateg and sold as veal. The captain told his nephew human meat did taste of veal, and the behind was the sweetest part.The captain stole two children to bring home with him. He beat their behinds for days, while they were still alive, to make it nice and tender. Albert Fish decided he had to try it. Not only did the environment in which he grew up shape Albert Fish, it is believed that his genetic influences may have had a capacious impact as well. His family had a history of mental illness his uncle suffered from religious mania, a familiar was confined in the state mental hospital, another brother had died of hydrocephalus and his sister had a mental affliction.Three other close relatives suffered from severe mental illnesses and his mother was b elieved to suffer frequent aural and/or visual hallucinations (Farlex, 2011). Albert Fish seems to fall in the postconventional honourable development area of psychological development. Postconventional morality is how people reason using abstract, self-defined moral principles that may not match conventional moral beliefs (Kowalski & Western, 2009). Fish was a very religious man. He claimed that his reasoning for his crimes were of religious purposes. He took the word of the Bible and twisted it to make his doings the work of God.Several times he said he was visited by Jesus Christ. Jesus would give him messages telling him what to do. Fish identified godliness with suffering. In all his doings, he thought he was doing right because no angels came and stopped him as they did in the story of Abraham and the sacrifice of his son Isaac. The word band in the Bible he referred to the lashes left by being whipped. He performed castrations and sacrificed virgins. Fish put cannibalism on the same level as communion. Eat the name and drink the blood, and they will become one with him, and he with them.This made Albert Fish feel God-like and powerful. He said he inserted the needles into his pelvic region to purge himself of sin by torcher. Theories of Personality The two different theories of personality selected are the drive model of Freuds theory of psychodynamics and the cognitive-social theory. Freud reasoned that if a symptom is not of physiologic origin and the patient is consciously trying to stop it but cannot, then opposing the conscious will must be an unconscious counter-will of equal or greater magnitude (Kowalski Western, 2009), which is the basis for his theories. The drive model was proposed by two basics sex and aggression. Albert Fish used both together to shape his life. To him they were one and the same. He enjoyed and got off the torcher of himself and others. Cognitivesocial theories share the behaviorist belief that learning (rather than inst inct, conflict, or defense) is the basis of personality and that personality dispositions tend to be relatively specific and shaped by their consequences.However, they also focus on beliefs, expectations, and information processing (Kowalski & Western, 2009). This theory shows how environmental demands, and the way one processes the information about themselves and the world can have an effect on ones interaction of a situation, such as school or in an orphanage, and ones learned tendencies to behave in a certain way in a certain circumstance, which in turn can reflect ones knowledge and beliefs. Albert Fishs environment at the Catholic orphanage demanded him to watch other boys get whipped.He was also whipped himself. He began to relate this abuse to sexual gratification by torching himself and others. He also connected suffering to religious aspects, such as being purged of sin. In the end believed the religion was his reason for his crimes. The author believes the cognitive-theo ry best explains Albert Fishs behaviors and achievements because of his strong belief that what he was doing was an act of God. If Fish was never subjected to the environment at the orphanage, he may not have developed the sexual urge from torcher.The author also believes many other factors in Fishs life contributed to his deranged achievement, such as the family history of mental illness and the psychotic break, which occurred when his wife abandoned him and his children. Albert Fishs environment and religious upbringing was horrid yet detrimental to his moral psychological development. It is obvious that family issues and support systems along with hereditary influences has greatly impacted his life and influenced his behaviors and achievements. Albert Fish was found guilty of murder in the first degree and sentenced to death by electric chair. He was 65.ReferencesFarlex. (2011). The Free Dictionary. Farlex, Inc. Retrieved May 22, 2011 from The Free Dictionary by Farlex http//www. thefreedictionary. com/developmental+psychology Kowalski, Robin and Western, Drew. (2009). Psychology. 5th Ed. Chp. 10, 12, and 13. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Retrieved May 22, 2011 from the University of Phoenix https//ecampus. hoenix. edu/content/eBookLibrary2/content/TOC. aspx? assetMetaId=e5b1e2e8-3a11-4d07-970f-cecd423d9973&assetDataId=63bf6c04-77c0-4129-afdb-dd2c6b73eccf Borowski, John. (2006). Albert Fish In Sin He Found Salvation. Waterfront Productions. Schechter, Harold. (1990). Deranged The Shocking True Story of Americas demonic Killer