Psychological and Sociological Theories in Life Essay

Introduction

Every human being is a unique universe of genetic data and acquired features (including imitation, learning, and so on). At the same time, people do not usually live in isolation but interact with each other affecting each other’s behavior. People obtain their primary and develop secondary identities in the course of interaction with other individuals (Fulcher & Scott 2011). Philosophers, psychologists as well as researchers specializing in other social sciences have tried to explain people’s behavior. There are various approaches to the problem. It is possible to apply some of the most influential psychological and sociological theories to address a common event in every person’s life.

Sociological theories

• Functionalism
  As far as sociological theories are concerned, people’s behavior is regarded through the lens of individuals’ interactions as well as their place in the society. For instance, functionalism views the human society as a well-established system (Haralambos & Holborn 2013). People tend to behave in a way that is beneficial for the development of the system. Proponents of functionalism stress that people act in terms of values developed in the society. Every society has certain norms and rules as well as values that define people’s actions. It is believed that people take up particular roles to fit in the system. It is also believed that older generations should pass values to younger generations. When some inappropriate beliefs, values and so on occur, people should make sure they do not spread.
  This theoretical paradigm explains people’s choice to obtain the higher education as this enables them to contribute to the development of the society through accumulation and the use of knowledge and skills. Nonetheless, people’s societies are not characterized by values and rules exclusively. There is such concept as discrimination and prejudice that lead to the exclusion of some groups of people based on their features or backgrounds (Miller 1996). For example, females are often discriminated in some spheres (sciences) although the western societies promulgate equity. More so, discrimination also puts hazards to the development of society as an array of skilled or talented individuals is isolated from the pool of tasks. It is possible to note that the theory can be instrumental in considering the issue on a larger scale, but it can be inefficient when looking into details.
• Conflict theory
  Another influential theory, which is still often referred to, is the Conflict paradigm. Karl Marx was one of the founders and major proponents of this approach, and he believed that all people’s actions are determined by the conflict and their fight for resources that are scarce (Haralambos & Holborn 2013). The thinker paid a lot of attention to the interactions among classes, groups of people developed on the basis of their control of “the means of production” (Thompson 2012, p. 28). The major stimulus for all actions is the conflict.
  Thus, when regarding the process of obtaining education from that perspective, students are trying to enter higher educational establishments and perform well to gain a degree. The number of degrees schools offer is comparatively scarce, and they are the necessary resource for landing a good job and becoming successful later in life. The concept of class can also be applied in this case. According to Marx, the proletariat has limited resources while wealthy people have more access to resources (Haralambos & Holborn 2013). In this respect, it is clear that a student coming from a wealthier family has more chances to enter a higher educational establishment. This theory is often criticized, but it is clear that it can be instrumental in explaining some processes in the society as well as people’s behaviors. At that, the paradigm concentrates on the level of the society rather than the level of a personality.
• Impression management
  Unlike theories mentioned above, postmodernist paradigms are not concerned with the macro levels, the society on the whole. These approaches are more concerned with people’s actions and their intrinsic stimuli. For example, Impression management theory is based on the use of a dramaturgical analogy (Allan 2014). Goffman, one of the advocates of the approach, concentrated on the nature of self and the way it is perceived in the society. According to the researcher, an individual develops a “font” to operate effectively in the society (Allan 2014, p. 387). Individuals may also adjust their appearance to fit into a group. It is necessary to note that this paradigm is similar to functionalism as it also involves such concepts as values and norms.
  When applying the theory to people’s choices concerning higher education, it becomes evident that people want to develop a particular front. This is an image of a successful person who has knowledge and skills, has nice prospects of landing a good job and contributing to the development of the society. The theory unveils some internal stimuli that make people behave in a specific way. This approach helps understand why people want to continue their studies, but it fails to provide a larger picture that is often necessary. In many cases, people choose to sacrifice their favorable image to pursue some goals. For example, some students choose isolation rather than active participation in the student life, and the spare time is not invested into studies. These actions cannot be explained with the help of the Impression theory.

Psychological theories

• Erickson’s psychosexual stages
  The psychological perspective can help reveal aspects of people’s behavior that sociological theories fail to address. The psychological approach focuses on the micro level, unlike sociological theories. Psychologists are largely concerned with the ways people interact with each other as well as see themselves. It is possible to consider such common activity as mating. The approach developed by Erickson provides insights into mechanisms that govern people’s choice when forming long-term relationships (Stevens 2008). The most common period when this process takes place is the stage of love or intimacy vs. isolation. According to the researcher, at this stage, people need to form lasting commitments with someone other than a family member. They form their own families that also develop in terms of a particular cycle (Woollett 1999). The successful completion of this process leads to satisfaction while failure to start proper relationships leads to isolation and even depression (Stevens 2008).
  The illustrations of this dissatisfaction and isolation are rather common in the contemporary society. Several people I know personally are still single in their late 30s and early 40s, which causes a lot of distress to them. Being females, they long for creating families, but they have no proper relationships. They are often depressed, which also affects their careers. These women are at risk of failing to succeed during the next stage that involves giving back to the society. This is the point where the personal experience of people can be generalized and brought to the macro level. People who fail to transfer successfully from one stage to the other become isolated (and rather inefficient) members of the society, a large number of such people can disrupt the development of the community, or the entire nation.
• Neurobiological perspective
  Another theoretical approach is concerned with physiological peculiarities of people. Proponents of the neurobiological perspective emphasize that individuals’ behavior is often affected by their physical states. For example, high temperature can “cause a person to experience emotional states” that have no relation to the environment (Moonie et al. 1995, p. 47). Various disorders tend to influence people’s behavior. The vast majority of illnesses can be associated with increased nervousness and even depression. Mental disorders affect the development of individual’s personalities as well.
  It is necessary to note that this perspective can be instrumental in explaining people’s behaviors. Obviously, the theoretical framework explains very specific cases, but it can also be extended to larger contexts. For instance, the approach can be applied when considering the way people mate. I have a personal example of the way physiology affects the development of relationships. My friend simply forced me to be at a party, which was not what I wanted as I was rather ill. My future partner was there, and the friend wanted us to meet. However, I was quite nervous, and I barely noticed the new person. My state could prevent me from forming the lasting relationship. The second time we met was much successful as I was feeling nice. Of course, those having chronic disorders may have difficulties with forming long-term commitments to their being nervous, irritated, depressed, in pain, and so on.
• Beck’s cognitive triad
  One more psychological perspective that sheds light on people’s behavior is Beck’s cognitive triad. The researcher stated that negative thinking styles are associated with the depression. These styles involve individuals’ beliefs concerning their self, people’s beliefs concerning their life experiences, and persons’ beliefs concerning their future (Hayes 2000). Individuals tend to focus on the negative side in everything and everyone. They often become rather selective, and the focus on the negative becomes unconscious. This enhances the depressive state. When people are depressed, it can be hard for them to develop long-term relationships. Importantly, females often develop eating disorders as they think that their appearance prevents them from forming proper relationships. Notably, when helping these people, psychologists often use eco maps, which encourages individuals to consider a larger context (Thompson 2006).
  Negative self-image, depression and the development of certain eating disorders are quite frequent. I have a friend who can be characterized by these features. She has tried to find a good man to create a family, but she has failed to do so. The young woman thinks her inability to have a long-term relationship is due to her appearance. She is often dieting, which tends to remind anorexia nervosa (Hayes 2000). Interestingly, the lack of food overloads her nervous system. She is often depressed, anxious, and she often feels fatigue. Importantly, the woman often starts relationships with ‘the wrong’ men and develops negative attitudes towards men in general as well as her self and her future. This case can be regarded as an illustration of Beck’s paradigm.

Conclusion

On balance, it is possible to note that psychological and sociological perspectives provide valuable insights into the nature of people’s behavior. A brief analysis of such trivial events as obtaining education or forming long-term relationships shows that each theoretical framework can shed light on a particular aspect of the matter. At that, some actions remain unexplained. It is clear that sociological perspectives are more instrumental in considering behaviors on a larger scale while deeper understanding of an action and its outcomes on a personal level can be provided with the help of psychological theories. It is possible to assume that when addressing complex issues, it can be beneficial to apply a set of perspectives to find answers to all the questions that arise.

Reference List

Allan, K 2014, The social lens: an invitation to social and sociological theory, Sage, London.

Fulcher, J & Scott, J 2011, Sociology, Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Haralambos, M & Holborn, M 2013, Sociology: themes and perspectives, Collins Educational, London.

Hayes, N 2000, Foundations of psychology, Thomson, London.

Miller, J 1996, Social care practice, Hodder & Stoughton, London.

Moonie, N, Ixer, G, Makepeace, K & Balkissoon, I 1995, Human behaviour in the caring context, Stanley Thornes, Cheltenham.

Stevens, R 2008, Erik Erikson explorer of identity and the life cycle, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke.

Thompson, N 2006, People problems, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke.

Thompson, N 2012, Anti-discriminatory practice, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke.

Woollett, A 1999, ‘Working with families’, in D Messer & F Jones (eds), Psychology and social care, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London, pp. 113-132.