Basic Concepts of Human Interaction Essay

Introduction

Human psychology is concerned with the understanding of the mental attitudes and mindsets of people and tries to understand why people act as they do, under different circumstances. It would not be untrue to believe that humans, as a clan behave differently when confronted with different situations, more so, a singular person may have different mindsets at different parts of the day, while he is at work, at rest and even his psyche, while asleep, may be markedly different than when he is awake and facing life’s umpteen challenges, doggedly albeit cheerfully.

Basic concepts of human interaction from a psychological perspective

The basic concepts of human interaction from a psychological perspective are one of survival and growth. Early man lived in jungles, killed animals and birds for satiating his hunger and depended on his senses and gut feelings for sheer survival; otherwise he would be devoured by wild beasts or killed by fellow humans for his flesh.

Now, things have changed dramatically and man needs to think about his survival and development in a competitive environment, complete with stresses, strains and attacks on his mind and bones.

Psychology considers how best man could accommodate himself to his environment and lives at peace with himself and his world. It teaches him to react to external stimuli that could best preserve his own health and longevity and that of other people. If defective patterns of behavior could be reconstructed and made healthy, psychology would serve its purpose to a very large extent. However, the challenge lies in the fact that sometimes brain patterns may be obdurate and resistant to change; in others the personality of the person is so well imbued to the defect that it challenges any new patterns or inputs. In this paper, two aspects are considered, one, an aspect called Munchausen’s Syndrome, where a person thinks he is dangerously ill, in order to avoid societal contacts, or social demands. (Chapter1: Psychology, n.d.).

The second aspect that would be considered is manic depression which is a major psychological disorder in today’s world, especially in people who have chemical dependency, alcoholism, drug problem, etc.

Two examples of how human behavior changes based on social situations

Human beings during the course of their lives are often put to a great deal of personal and professional stresses. In some cases they may be able to cope with the conditions, and in others it may not be possible. Often people are put under such stress that they involuntarily complain of ailments and even go all out to prove their contentions by injecting themselves with virus that could cause the disease, to prove themselves right.

Specific behavior

People may claim that they are suffering from serious diseases like cancer, HIV, etc., when actually this is only a ploy to bring attention onto themselves. Sometimes this is done to others- like parent, child etc Munchausen’s Syndrome, by proxy. The person may go about saying that he is suffering from cancer or HIV to gain attention or sympathy from others. This could also be to avoid official duties and responsibilities.

Coming to the second disease, manic depression, it is seen that refers to a “person’s mood alternating between “poles” of mania (highs) and depression (lows). Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that causes unusual changes in the person’s mood, energy, and ability to function.” (Manic depression-highs and lows, 2009).

Context in which the behavior occurs

The context could be in terms of losing the love of a near one, fiancée, or mate, social tragedy, or incapability to meet commitments, which needs to be diverted to oneself manifest in imaginary diseases sometimes beyond the realms of hypochondriac behavior, including self-injury and determination to prove one’s imaginary ailment as genuine.

Manic depression, the second illness being considered, could arise out of genetic or environmental reasons.

Antecedents and precedents of selected behavior on social psychology

Sometimes the parent of children insistently talks about the illnesses of their children. Sometimes this goes to the extent of evening making regular and constant hospital visits convincing the doctors of non-existing diseases in their children. (Munchausen’s syndrome, 2009).

Conditions of severity of MS may vary and precedents may be in terms of avoiding such health care settings where one is found ‘healthy’ and moving on to newer grounds.

Coming to manic depression, usually a person having manic depression or bipolar disorder has severe mood swings. At one moment he is pleasant and sociable, the next he becomes a victim of violent and raging emotions. It is believed that manic depressive patients lose emotional control and indulge in antisocial behavior.

“Mania often affects thinking, judgment, and social behavior in ways that cause serious problems and embarrassment. For example, unwise business or financial decisions may be made when an individual is in a manic phase.” (Definition of manic-depression, 2009).

This is the reason why manic depression patients need to be isolated and treated accordingly, since they are quite capable of causing harm to others and to oneself.

Concepts

The concepts may be in terms of basic insecurity or inability to establish and retain social contacts and interaction. Mostly, introverts develop MS to avoid and ill direct societal concerns for individuals and groups.

In case of manic depression, besides the rapid mood swings and delusions, the patient may also have grandiose feelings of oneself at one moment, and in tune with bipolarity, induce childish pranks in the other. They are capable of producing different emotional cues at one time, and this needs to be medically treated.

Does exhibited behavior necessitate therapeutic intervention?

Usually it is seen that MS in its milder forms does not need medical intervention, but stronger manifestations may need medical attention. However, it is possible to cure MS at its initial stages, or inhibit a stronger occurrence of the condition, at later stages.

Manic depression, one the other needs immediate medical attention, since it is capable of major repercussions and harm to self and others in the immediate vicinity. Exhibited behavior traits in manic depression are critical since the patient has little emotional control and could inflict harm on others in a fit of maniacal rage.

Conclusions

This article has sought to consider the nuances of human interaction by considering two conditions, one called Munchausen’s Syndrome, in which people imagine non-existent illnesses. Whenever any illness comes to their attention, they believe that they possess this disease and rush to the doctors.

While its milder forms are not critical, sometimes the person is so obdurate that his chances of contracting the diseases become a distinct possibility.

Similarly, coming to the second aspect of manic depression, it is seen that frequent mood swings and bi-polar personality characterizing this condition that needs to be medically examined and intervention sought. Finally, there is no cure for the bipolar condition and at best it could only be controlled through lifelong drugs (Wood, 2009).

References

1. Chapter1: Psychology: The study of mental processes and behavior. (n.d.). Amazon.com. Web.
2. Definition of manic-depression: Manic- depression. (2009). Medicine Net.com. Web.
3. Manic depression-highs and lows: Manic depressive-what does it mean?. (2009). All About Life Challenges. Web.
4. Munchausen’s syndrome. (2009). Ayushveda.com: Health & Life Style portal.
5. Wood, D. (2009). What is bipolar disorder?. Mental Health Matters.