Introduction
Social behavior is the interaction between two or more individuals and comprises any cognitive behavior where one member is affecting the other. This occurs because of the interaction between those individuals. Social behavior can even be expressed in the form of exchanging goods or items thereby expecting a barter collaboration. The expectation comes that when a person gives, he or she will receive the same. Individual qualities and environmental factors both affect the social behavior of an individual. Hence, it can be postulated that the interaction between a human organism and its environment gives rise to social behavior. Therefore, it can be ascertained that both the individual social characteristics and his environment determines the social behavior of an individual.
Communication plays a major role in social behavior since it serves as a basis for species' survival and reproduction. Two different processes can be used to determine social behavior. These processes either work symbiotically or against one another.
Behavior cannot be evaluated by a single factor. This realization gave rise to the dual-systems model of reflective behavioral instinct and impulsive behavioral instinct that helps to determine social behavior. Behavior is displayed among individuals as a result of conscious intent or awareness or as a pure act of impulsiveness. There are times when one can behave consciously in a controlled manner and other times when one might behave irrationally driven by pure impulse.
What Is the Definition of Social Behavior?
Social behavior is defined as an act of interaction among individuals that can either qualify, modify, or otherwise alter the activity of the individuals participating in that act. Social behavior is triggered by a society that in turn triggers other members of the society. Social activity is an act that has been stimulated by society and also stimulates society. The behavior of an individual that has not been affected or altered by society and does not modify, or stimulate the society members is not considered a social behavior.
What Is the Genesis of Social Behavior?
Social Behavior Among Lower Vertebrates:
Social behavior is seen among lower animals. A few lower animals provide food etc. to other animals thereby helping them. An example of such a relationship is the living organisms that are parasites on other lower vertebrates derive their nourishment from such animals.
Another example of such a symbiotic relationship is of a few bacterial species that take shelter in some plant species and are dependent on these plants for their survival thereby helping them to grow by deriving valuable nutrients from the soil. Such mutual relationships in lower species are examples of social behavior. In the case of ants and bees, it is usually seen that the work is divided among them.
The top of the hierarchy of power is occupied by the strongest males and the bottom by the weakest males. Social behavior is even present in various birds like pigeons, cocks, and hens.
Some of these birds are dominant while others are submissive in behavior. According to Kupuswamy, there are four basic roots for social organization:
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Contractual behavior (involves the seeking of love or protection by physically coming in contact with other animals).
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Reproduction.
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Protection of the younger ones.
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Living in groups among the higher vertebrates for food, defense, and play.
Social Behavior Among the Apes and Monkeys:
Social behavior is also found in the case of monkeys and chimpanzees. They respond accordingly after understanding the signs of human beings. The language among apes comprises 12 sounds to refer to different things. Like all other species, there is a hierarchy of authority. Physically stronger apes or monkeys try to control the behavior of physically weaker females regarding sexuality and feeding.
Social Behavior Among Humans:
Certain patterns of social development are observed in human beings throughout their life span. In the infancy period, the infant’s behavior is directly correlated to his caregiver and influenced by the mother's reactions. Newborn infants usually develop a sense of awareness toward a stranger. In childhood, the child begins to communicate in a verbal form. They begin to classify themselves on a gender basis.
Till the time of puberty, individuals become aware of their sex and the customs that go along with it. They even begin to choose how much they want to align with these customs and start behaving accordingly. More sexual pairs are formed during this phase.
Once they start a family and become new parents, their behavior changes to the emotional needs of the newborn infant. Behavior becomes more stable in old age and after retirement. The person is more often committed to their social circle and towards meditation.
What Are the Types of Social Behavior?
A study conducted on human social behavior revealed that more than 90 % of the human population can be subdivided into five basic personality traits:
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Optimistic.
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Pessimistic.
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Trusting.
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Envious.
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Aggressive.
Out of these five types, envy is the most common trait prevailing among humans.
Why Is Social Behavior Crucial?
Social behavior is an important life skill. Knowing how to easily get along with others promotes positive social interactions, builds healthy relationships, and allows people to feel connected. Practicing such social skills usually stimulates the regulation of emotional well-being. The individual can control his range of emotions.
How Does Electronic Social Media Affect Social Behavior?
With the advent of electronic media, alterations in human social behavior have become more prevalent. Social media harms human social behavior. Under the influence of social media, humans have become more self-obsessed, self-possessed, and narcissistic. They develop less empathy for others and usually have troubled relationships with their partners. Social media has made them lazy and more aggressive. They start portraying a social behavior that is affected by low self-esteem, mental depression, emotional anxiety, mental health concerns, and trust issues.
What Are the Types of Impaired Behavioral Disorders?
Various mental disorders influence social behavior. These include
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Society anxiety disorder when individuals fear being judged by society.
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Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is characterized by hyperactivity and impulsiveness.
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Autism spectrum disorder affects the communication skills of children.
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Obsessive Compulsive Disorder leads to the repetition of certain behavioral patterns due to unwanted thoughts.
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Eating Disorders can harm the mental and social well-being of an individual along with health issues.
Conclusion
Social behavior is an important aspect of all living species. It is portrayed in terms of communication, social interactions, helping each other, reproduction, protection, seeking love, or even being violent at times. Social media has laid a negative impact on this aspect of human nature since humans have become more narcissistic due to the inadvertent use of social media. Trolling and disrespect of individuals have become so common because of the easy accessibility of electronic gadgets thereby affecting social behavior negatively.
