Social influences are things that alter or influence an individual’s feelings, conduct, opinions, or actions. Both sociologists and psychologists find this concept of great value, for example, social influence is a pivotal tool for marketing, smoking and many more.
Among the very many things under focus when handling the concept of social influence is how external factors affect behavior of certain faction or discrete individuals. In other words, nobody is exclusive of social influence as it can occur in any social condition. For instance, let us take prejudice, attraction and love as examples of social influences. It is quite apparent that prejudice develops feelings of misery or hate.
On the other hand, love and attraction brings feelings that an individual can help one up. Whether positive or negative, these conditions can light a rollercoaster ride in the brain and make an individual change from being irate to blissful or from cheerful to fuming, within a split second. Thus, undoubtedly, love and prejudice remains two paramount circumstances that induce sturdy feelings in humans-the chieftains of human behavior in society (Ainette & Carmella, 2011, p.1).
According to Kowalski and Westen (2009), schemas are the vital blueprint of thoughts, which systematize experience and direct the processing of information about human beings and situation. They go on saying that for this to occur, an impression of a person is necessary before anything else. Their work shows people that develop the first impression by observing the behavior of outgoing and attractive individuals.
Thus, if a person appears shy and reticent, the observer will have a shoddier first impression. In short, the first impression, either good or bad, forms the source of social behaviors. For instance, prejudice can make people behave imperfectly bearing in mind many people do not like the idea of becoming outcasts due to stereotype. It is thus important to note that the first impressions are the antecedent from where love and prejudice emanate.
Ordinarily, prejudice comes when a certain faction of people discriminate an individual either by race or color. Interestingly, the group has a leader who forces others to believe in discrimination. Although some members may be aware that what they are doing is wrong, they find themselves in a sorry state, as any resistance to what the group believes will makes them outcasts. Additionally, it is important to note that the group has an influencing power to facilitate socially how every member conducts himself or herself.
At the same time, no member of the group risks being an outcast by opposing others. Such cases are more common in children as compared to adults. As Kowalski and Westen notes, no substantive amount of salutary intercession can stop people from practicing prejudice and stereotyping. This is because many people follow the crowd irrespective of whether he crowd is doing the right thing or not. Perhaps this is the reason why in the contemporary world; altruism is something hard to come across (pp. 8-27).
Another component of social influence is the sensation of attraction and falling in love. The two, love and attraction, can develop as a first impression, in this case, directed towards a certain individual.
Noticeably, the foremost thing that a person keenly observes in a person of the opposite sex is of course, the physical appearance of that individual. Depending on personal preferences and even culture, each person has different assertions on the characteristics that attract him or her most. Nevertheless, it is important to note that at first sight, the first impression about someone is the paramount thing.
Any behavior of the sensation of attraction or love towards someone comes later. Undoubtedly, social researchers quickly assert that love is brings out the feeling of contentment and self-assurance in human beings. In most cases, where love exists, altruism comes into action, since the persons involved ends up being happy and better than they were (Schueler, 1997, p.1).
Studies show that love as complex as it is, exhibits itself as evolutionary and biological. In most cases, the studies explain the genesis of love as biological. However, it is important to note that due to social interactions, social groupings, social loafing and groupthink; the nature of love has made it easier to modify it into an assortment of cultures.
On the other hand, love exhibits itself when human beings protect their progeny. Nevertheless, some instances can make love plummet amid its disassociation from intervention of any type. For example, if one person becomes abusive due to stress or jealousy, then the concept of love as an ingredient of social influence ceases.
Captivatingly, some people may choose to remain in an abusive relationship just because they love their partners. Apparently, such situations require a certain therapy to deal with. In other words, love and prejudice are paramount circumstances that we cannot do without, simply because each one of them tries to accomplish various genuses of biological and evolutionary demands. For instance, prejudice pleads for inclusivity in major social groupings.
On the other hand, no human being likes being alone. All human being desires to associate with other people hence, the concept of love. It is also important to note that love is a fundamental necessitate for reproduction and survival. Perhaps this is the reason why people appear to care for others and making sure that the lineage survives (Kowalski & Westen, 2009, pp. 31-76).
In conclusion, so far, love and prejudice remain the strongest social influences on how human beings conduct themselves. From the two emanate an assortment of motions that range from irritation to hopelessness to self-assurance and happiness. Without any doubt, the behavior of people can affect the attitude and self-esteem of other people in social loafing. Social influence can also affect individual personality and behavior, and sometimes lead to discrimination.
Reference List
Ainette, M. & Carmella, W. (2011). Social Influence. Behavioral Research. Web.
Kowalski, R., & Westen, D. (2009). Psychology. (5th ed.). Hoboken, New Jersey: Wiley and Sons.
Schueler, G. (1997). Social Influence on Behavior. Web.