Social Influences on Behavior

Social Influences on Behavior

People are social an individual will have thoughts, feelings, and actions but when an individual is with other these emotions can change. Social influence is conformity, when an individual expresses him or herself in a certain way to fit in to situation or meet the expectations of a given group. This will be real changes to the individual as a result from the interaction with this group. A person will adjust his or her beliefs if they believe the group or others are similar with principles and balance. An individual can also be influenced by the majority; this is when a social group has a certain outlook, and the entering individual with adopt these outlook and beliefs as well. According to Rashotte (2006), “Additionally, individuals may change an opinion under the influence of another who is perceived to an expert in the matter at hand” (Social Influence, para. 2). Specific behaviors of social influences are altruism and conformity, how these behaviors occur, the precursors and consequences of behaviors, and if any therapeutic intervention should be taken for them.

Specific Behaviors

Altruism loves others as a person would love him or herself. Altruism is also a behavior of survival that promotes chances of the person above others at one’s own cost. Altruism is also self-sacrificing for the benefit of others. An altruist will align their well-being with others, when others are happy an altruist will thrive, if an altruist is around soundness he or she will also suffer (Kowalski, R., & Westen, D. 2009). In order to establish a strong relationship an altruistic person will motivate cooperation rather than conflict. What is uncertain in an altruistic is done to increase pleasure or reduce pain. An example would be would be giving a homeless person money. Is this done by pure desire to help or alleviate discomfort? These prosocial acts can lead to material and social rewards, as well as positive feelings. The acts are known as ethical hedonism. People act positively for many reasons they are motivated by their positive emotions and wish diminish negative ones. Social conformity also plays a role in altruism.

While altruism is self-sacrificing and works on positive effects for others and for one’s self whereas conformity is changing attitudes or the behavior of others to accommodate standards of peers or groups. Conformity is a desire to fit with the norms of society, instead of being an undesirable. Humans are very tribal and have a need to belong. Conforming helps this needs, it shows the group that you are like them. Conforming can be a personality trait, doing whatever is found necessary to “fit in.” Conformity is found in culture also according to Kowalski, R., & Westen, D., (2009) a study done on East Asians found that participants preferred to conform than be independent. While North American in a similar study preferred to be independent. Social conformity can vary within a culture as well, low-income families and rural parents tend to emphasize on obedience and conformity while middle-class income parents will not. These behaviors can occur in different situations.

How Behaviors Occur

Altruism can be seen in relief efforts. A large disaster happens and people will pull together to make a difference. This can be in the means of donations, fundraiser, or giving blood. Such events are the tsunami event of 2004, or the attacks of 911. People pulled together and raised money for others that were in need. Heart went out for the loss of thousand in both events. Most people donated to funds to help families who lost loved ones and to help families who lost everything.

Conformity is seen when a child has to have a pair of new shoes that match the other children in their grade. Conformity is also seen in actions of large groups. There are several movies such as “Mean Girls” that establishes that the new girl must be mean to her friend as the other girls she “hangs out with” in order to “fit in” and be accepted. Conformity gives her an establishment in a group even if she does want to be mean. Kowalski, R., & Westen, D., (2009) note this as; Influence of this sort provides the basis for self-fulfilling prophecies, in which false impressions of a situation evoke behavior these impressions become true. Both of these behaviors and occurrences have precursors and consequences.

Precursors and Consequences of Behaviors

The earliest precursors to altruism could be as simple as a child sharing lunch with a friend who does not have anything to eat. Donating time to homeless shelter, or assisting in an elderly community is another form of altruism. Consequences to this action can be going without because a person has given all his or her monies to others. What of conformity?

The precursors of conformity are not having thoughts on for one’s self but always looking to the crowd for what is seen as acceptable actions, and behavior. The consequence can be a person becomes co-dependent. Conformity can also have negative effects of the person no longer has free thinking or a will of his or her own. Should a person receive therapeutic intervention with these two social influences?

Therapeutic Intervention

Intervention could be used in both altruism and conformity. If a person is over doing the greater good and worrying more about the effects and concerns of others this person could begin to neglect his or her own needs. Likewise if a person becomes overly consumed with donating to others they can neglect their own needs. If a person is more worried about what is social acceptable this person may require help to find self esteem and their needs. In moderation either one of these social influences can be beneficial to others and the person performing them. Both of these influences can be positive as well. If the effects help a person learn to react in crisis, be part of a cure or sustain humanity. Otherwise conformity and altruism is a normal part of life. Most people will do their best to help others in need, and when in a group most will try to fit in.

Conclusion

People are social creatures by nature. We seek attention and even approval from others in our lives. Altruism is when a person will love someone else as they love themselves. Conformity is when a person seeks the approval of someone. A person could believe that they attention they are giving to others is for the greater good but this person could also being this for the attention they receive. A person who feels as if he or she is an outcast may try to change his or her ways to fit into the social setting they are in. Most North Americans do not conform to others while East Asian will. Conformity is not just culture based from regions it can be based on classes in a region. The beginning and end results of the behavior may differ therapeutic intervention will only be needed if a person does not know how much is enough.

Reference

Kowalski, R., & Westen, D. (2009). Psychology (5th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Rashotte, L. (2006). Social Influence. Blackwell Publishing. Retrieved from http://www.blackwellpublishing.com:443/sociology/docs/BEOS_S1413.pdf

Multiple Intelligence

Multiple Intelligence

Multiple Intelligence is not the same as regular intelligence; it does not measure like a standard IQ test. Multiple intelligence does not ask how smart a person is; it asks how a person is smart. Dr. Gardner believed that intelligence could be measured at much farther spectrum. Dr. Gardner proposed that human potential has eight different intelligences these consist of Linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalist intelligence. Interpersonal, kinesthetic, and linguistic intelligence need a closer look. Dr. Gardner developed a way for a person to check his or her intelligence; every person has multiple intelligences, most will have three intelligences stronger than his or her others intelligences and can develop a way for these intelligences to help with his or her career success.

Gardner’s Intelligences Theory

Dr. Howard Gardner a professor at Harvard University developed the theory of multiple intelligences in 1983. Gardner believed that a regular IQ test did not measure all of a person’s intelligence. His belief was traditional views do not reflect a person’s full ability “Gardner believes that there are at least eight intelligences possessed by all people, and that every person has developed some intelligence more fully than others” (Kowalski & Westen, 2005, pp. 38-39). This belief is based on people possessing more than one neural module, and each of these has its own memory system, procedures, and rules. In Gardner’s theory savants are individuals with extraordinary ability in one area but low in another. Another type of person with strong multiple intelligences is a prodigy. A prodigy will have average or normal abilities but will have an ability that is stronger at a young age and is extraordinary in it. Supporting evidence for Gardner’s multiple intelligence is that a person can develop one domain of development more quickly than another. A closer look at interpersonal intelligence will show one of these intelligence more developed than another.

Interpersonal Intelligence

Interpersonal intelligence is an intelligence based on people smarts. This type of intelligence allows the person to work with others in groups and has a stronger skill in communicating nonverbally and verbally with others. A person with strongly developed interpersonal skills will be able to detect moods, motivations, feelings, and be able to relate to others easily. A person with well developed interpersonal intelligence will work well with others. This intelligence will allow the barrier to have empathy and appreciate the perspective and sensitivity to motive along with mood and intentions of others. This could be helpful with working with people such as a therapist, counselor, or doctor. This person will have good leadership skills that help with problem-solving and maintain good relationships (Corporation or Public Broadcasting, 2002). Another type of intelligence that works with the body is bodily-kinesthetic intelligence.

Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence

Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence uses the body to express emotions, for playing games, and to create. A person who is strong with bodily-kinesthetic intelligence uses their body through physical skills such as balancing, coordination, and sports. Bodily-kinesthetic has a good sense of timing and this person does well with goal-directed activities. This type of person is capable of expressing with his or her body, using rhythmic and imitative ways. A person whom is strong with bodily-kinesthetic will use their hands with dexterity and skill for detailed activities and small work (Corporation of Public Broadcasting, 2002). A bodily-kinesthetic can pay attention to the little details. This person is able to connect his or her mind and body expanding all senses. Bodily-Kinesthetic move with music and verbal-linguistic is sensitive to rhythms.

Verbal-Linguistic intelligence

A person who is strong in verbal-linguistic intelligence has abstract reasoning, symbolic thinking, conceptual patterning, reading, writing, and a production of language. This intelligence has sensitivity to words, the meaning of them, the sound of them, the rhythm of words, and inflections. Linguistic will reflect on the use of language in everyday life. This person may write books, letters, stories, and poems. The verbal-linguistic excels in oral communication when being persuasive with description and memorization. How can these three different intelligences help with personal success?

Impact on Personal Success

These three intelligences can impact success. Most schools focus on linguistic and logical-mathematical intelligence but Dr. Gardner believes that attention should be in the other forms of intelligences also. If schools taught and helped children realize their multiple intelligence they may find more suited work. If a person knows his or her intelligence was bodily-kinesthetic they would be happier working as a recreational leader, physical therapist, or a forest ranger. These types of jobs permit moving around. According to Armstrong (2010):

“the theory of multiple intelligences gives adults a whole new way to look at their lives, examining potentials that they left behind in their childhood (such as a love for art or drama) but now have the opportunity to develop through courses, hobbies, or other programs of self-development” (Multiple Intelligences, para. 3 ).

These intelligences can open pathways in learning and success in the professional world. Because intelligence is linked to a certain type of ability as a person grows this intelligence and his or her intelligence may change. Multiple intelligence not only will help with finding a job that will make a person happy at work it will help with learning how to do this job. Knowing the feelings of others can help with interviews, or working in a call center. Knowing how far a person can push his or her body could help with firefighting, or running in race. Knowing how to learn will help with positive change in weak areas, or difficult areas and help with effectively moving forward with these goals (Kowalski, R., & Westen, D., 2005).

Conclusion

In conclusion knowing which intelligence a person falls under with Dr. Gardner’s multiple intelligence theory will only be a benefit. Stanford, (2003) believes the “multiple intelligence theory opens the door to a wide variety of teaching strategies that can easily be implemented in the classroom” (multiple intelligence, para 8). Thanks to Gardner and his theory people can learn better, find employment that suits his or her intelligence, and be happy with this job. Knowing that words, or use of the body, working with one’s hands, and knowing how another feels is helpful with communication, and knowing how the body works and what expectations and exhilaration it can take will boost efforts personal strides and success. With Gardner’s multiple intelligence a person does not have to question how smart he or she may be the person is able to ask how he or she is smart.

Reference

Armstrong, DR. T. (2010). Dr. Thomas Armstrong. Retrieved from http://www.thomasarmstrong.com/multiple_intelligences.php

Corporation of Public Broadcasting. (2002). Enhancing Education. Retrieved from http://enhancinged.wgbh.org/research/multi/examples.html

Kowalski, R., & Westen, D. (2005). Psychology (4th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Stanford, P. (2003). Multiple Intelligence for Every Classroom. Intervention in School & Clinic, 39(2), 80. Retrieved from MasterFILE Premier database.

Foundations of Psychology

Foundations of Psychology

Psychology was born from philosophy, when philosophers had a period of doubt about the limitations of morality, justice, and knowledge. In the late nineteenth century a need to understand the nature of thoughts, behaviors in minds, and feelings brought scientific investigation. Culture and biology have as much to do with psychology as philosophy does with the constraints of how a people think, feel, and act. Since this first laboratory psychology has answered many questions about the mind and the way people think. Psychology has been developed through biology, culture and philosophy whereas the school of thought in psychology helps with current perspectives.

Biology and Psychology

Behavioral neuroscience or biopsychology occurs when physicians or biologists not psychologist study electrical and chemical processes of the nervous system. On September 13, 1848 Phineas Gage set off an explosion that sent a bar through his head and change his personality. This accident set forth experiments producing surgical lesions in different regions of the animal’s brains to determine the effects on behavior. In 1836 Marc Dax a physician wrote a paper suggesting that aphasia or language disorders were associated with the brains left side. Localization of function was a major discover for behavioral neuroscience. Other discovers within the left hemisphere after Dax came from Paul Broca, who discovered that people with lesions in the left hemisphere’s front section could comprehend language but not speak. Carl Wernicke discovered that damage in the brain near Broca sections could speak fluently and follows grammar rules but made little sense. Just as much as the biology has to do with psychology the way a person was brought up also has an effect.

Culture and Psychology

Culture difference can create psychological difference. Margaret Mead and Ruth Benedict are the first psychologically sophisticated anthropologists to address the relationship of personality and culture. “They argued that individual psychology is fundamentally shaped by cultural values, ideals, and ways of thinking. (Kowalski & Westen, 2005)” A developing child will conform to standards set by his or her culture. Psychological anthropologists observed the way child-rearing molds personalities.

Waking at a certain time, arriving and switching classes in a timely manner, even being punctual for work are not natural to humans but have become part of a person’s character or personality. Cross-cultural psychology was founded by a group of researchers pondering relationships between culture and psychological attributes. “Psychologists are now pondering the extent to which decades of research on topics such as memory, motivation, psychological disorders, and obedience have yielded results about people generally or about a particular group of people. (Kowalski & Westen, 2005)” Psychology can process the comparison and distinguish between universal and cultural processes with cross-cultural comparison. When philosophy wanted to know about nature, psychology was born.

Philosophy and Psychology

In 1879, Wilhelm Wundt of Leipzig, Germany founded the first psychological laboratory. The provinces of philosophy were once the attributes of human nature. In the early twentieth century philosophers went through a period of doubt, at this time psychologist began applying technology of natural sciences. Wundt wanted to uncover the units of human consciousness. Wundt and his students used introspection; he trained observers to report everything when a stimulus or task was given. With varied objects he could conclude elements of consciousness. Edward Titchener a student of Wundt’s speculated consciousness’ structure, and initiated structuralism. Structuralism was not the only school of thought.

Functionalism another school of thought emphasized the role or function process of psychology. This process helped individuals adapt such as to run away in the face of bear. In 1980 William James a founder of functionalism wrote the first psychology textbook. James believed knowledge of humans minds came from different sources. James believed that structuralism efforts were misguided. “Consciousness exists because it serves a function, and the task of the psychologist is to understand that function. (Kowalski & Westen, 2005).” These schools of thoughts serve as a foundation for other perspectives.

Psychology Perspectives

Perspectives of psychology are theories that science progresses with better paradigms. Paradigm is broad assumptions by the scientific community to make sense of a domain of experience. Thomas Kuhn a philosopher of science believed the social science and psychology were different from natural science. He believed that these sciences lacked a paradigm that the scientific community could agree upon. Kuhn believed the science could be broken into other perspectives. Sigmund Freud founded a treatment for psychological disorders known as psychoanalysis. This perspective has three key premises; actions are determined, by the way, of thought, a person’s feelings, and wishes. The next premise is a mental event occurs outside of the conscious awareness, and last mental processes may conflict. This theory does not just focus on individual personality or behavior it focuses on human experience and the entire person. A second perspective of psychology is behaviorist perspective.

The behaviorist perspective believes that objects and events cause behaviors through learning. Ivan Pavlov is a known behaviorist from his work with dogs. Pavlov discovered that dogs will salivate when a bell is rang from conditioning the dog that the bell signaled feeding time. If the bell rang even when food was not presented the dog would still salivate. B.F. Skinner furthered Pavlov theories into a psychological perspective by helping create the concept of behavior can change through reinforcement and punishment.

Conclusion

Psychology has many founders from biology, culture, and philosophy. The different perspectives and premises helped shape and develop the study of psychology. Some unanswered questions about the human mind still exist but as research furthers more of these questions find answers.

Reference

Kowalski, R., & Westen, D. (2005). Psychology (4th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Brian Hugh Warner

Brian Hugh Warner

Life span development looks at the biological, cognitive, and psychosocial changes that occur over the span of someone’s life. Personality refers to types, traits, and differences in individuals. This is a brief look at Brian Hugh Warner. Brian Warner was born to Barbara and Hugh Warner of “Canton, Ohio” on 5 January 1969. At the age of five Brian is put in Heritage Christian School in Ohio. This is the beginning that formed the Brian Hughes most people know as Marilyn Mason. The Christian school Brian was attended instilled fear and terrorized him about the evils of Satan.

The Christian school disillusioned Brian about Christianity. In his autobiography, “The Long Hard Road out of Hell”, (1998) Brian notes that he never excelled in school. He believed that most of his education was self taught after classes, where he would role-play, read books about Jim Morrison, write poems, short stories, and listen to records. He found music to be healing and for him music had no rules or judgment; he was accepted for who he was. In about the tenth grade Brian convinced his family to let him go to public school and after graduation in 1987 his family moved to Florida.

In Florida, Brian attended Broward Community College and majored in journalism and theater. Brian was the entertainment editor for the college newspaper. Upon completion of college Brian began working at Fort Lauderdale’s 25^th Parallel magazine as a music journalist. Brian formed his band originally named “Marilyn Manson and the Spooky Kids” in 1990. He and the other members of the band used amalgam for their names by taking the name of a super model and of a serial killer. Marilyn Manson has been an issue of controversy since starting his band. The environmental influences in Brian can be seen in moral psychological development, his family and social support help with his growth, adjustment and personality theories of cognitive and humanistic theory; the paper will conclude with a theoretical approach to Brian’s behaviors and achievements.

Environmental Influences

In the fight of nature versus nurture Brian influence is environment. Going to a Christian school, which taught damnation for sins, only made the oppressed child turn against organized religion (Manson & Strauss, 1998). Brian was brought-up with both of his parents. They were not church going people but thought Brian would receive a better education from the Christian school. At the age of 16 he also found his grandfather’s secret stash of porno magazine, another environmental influence that can be seen in Brian as he ages. Brian notes that he did not excel in school but thought the time he had alone was more educational for him. During the stage of his life where more physiological, cognitive, and behavioral changes occur, Brian was exploring his sexuality. He notes in his biography (1998) that him and his cousin would steal pages from their grandfather’s secret stash of adult magazines and hide the pages under rocks in the drive way. Moral development is seen in Marilyn Manson along with support from his family.

Moral Psychological Development and Social Support

Moral Psychological development defined by Kohlberg has three levels. The first is preconventional where the person avoids punishment to obtain rewards. I believe Brain has trouble with this stage of development. He had an AC/DC album confiscated by an irate teacher. The second stage is of conventional standards. This level suggests that a person will meet moral standards learning from others, avoiding disapproval, and maintaining law and order Kowalski, R., & Westen, D. (2005). This is another area that Marilyn Manson has shown he does not comply with the norm of standards set by others. In a performance in Michigan, Manson was arrested for lewd conducts on stage.

In an interview on O’Reilly Manson states, (2001):

It's always about being yourself and not being ashamed of being different or thinking different. I try and take everyone's ideals, common morals, flip them around, make people look at them differently, question them, so that you're not always taking things for granted (Marilyn Manson, para. 6).

The final stage of Kohlberg’s moral development is the post-conventional level. This level morality centers on abstract, carefully considering principles. Brian or Marilyn does seem to believe that he needs to take careful consideration for principles. His father and mother attend his concerts and support him as an individual. Although the world may not agree with Marilyn Manson, his appearance, or his image, his family is there for him when he goes to concerts, and when he is being interviewed. He has their support and has had them through his life. Which personality theories best describe Marilyn?

Personality Theories

Marilyn can be seen in cognitive theory and humanist Theory. Cognitive-social theories argue the importance of encoding, personal value, expectancies, competencies, and self-regulation Kowalski, R., & Westen, D. (2005). Cognitive-social theory is also about personal value and the importance a person attaches to various or potential outcomes. Manson wanted to be a rock singer but the outcome of music has called controversy. Marilyn has shown competences dealing with this controversy. During the Columbine incident Marilyn made a statement about how he was used as a scapegoat and blamed for the children’s actions (Gorgan, 2009). Marilyn also can be seen in humanistic theories as this theory focuses on distinctly human personalities. Humanistic theory also deals with a person-centered approach, and true self. The true self is a person who is untainted by the demands of those around them Kowalski, R., & Westen, D. (2005). Manson does not have a need to explain why he is who he. He does not believe he needs to change to make the world happy. He does not put blame on others for his action; he is true to himself and his beliefs. Each theory represents Marilyn Manson because the theories talk of how a person approaches his or her life and the way he or she sees him or herself in his or her environment. They differ in the approach that they take cognitive on how his music defines him and humanistic on how he defines himself. A theoretical approach to Marilyn will help with understanding his behavior and beliefs.

Theoretical Approach

The theoretical approach to Brian Warner aka Marilyn Manson is hard to pinpoint. He can be seen in Kohlberg’s moral development. Marilyn’s way of thinking was changed during school with thoughts of damnation that never came to pass. He can been seen in cognitive-social theories with his non-conforming approach to what is considered norm and speaking up for himself in a world that wishes to use him as a scapegoat. Manson is also represented in the Humanistic theory as he has grown and developed his image, not changing his beliefs because society is unwilling to accept him. With the school and lack of concern for his education, Brian became the person whom he was warned about.

Conclusion

In conclusion regardless of what a person thinks about Marilyn Manson he is who he, wants to be. He has taken a life of strict Christian beliefs from a school and turned these into an image that makes people question and think differently then what is considered norm. Even though all of society does not agree with Marilyn Manson, his family supports him and his decision. His parents can be seen in the audience of talk shows, and at his concerts. Humanistic and cognitive theories can be seen in Marilyn as he stands for his beliefs and does not conform to society. Brian Warner is Marilyn Manson and he is a person who is true to himself.

References

(2001). The O'Reilly Factor. Fox News. Retrieved from http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,32588,00.html

Gorgan, E. (2009). Life and Style Music News. Softpedia. Retrieved from http://news.softpedia.com/news/Columbine-Massacre-Cost-Me-Everything-Marilyn-Manson-Says-114107.shtml

Kowalski, R., & Westen, D. (2005). Psychology (4th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Manson, M., & Strauss, N. (1998). The long hard road out of hell. New York, New York: Regan Books.