Sunday, June 26, 2011

Social Influences on Behavior


               Social settings can easily influence the way humans behave. People will behave differently at a ballet than at a wrestling match. People let their surroundings influence the way they present themselves. Certain behavior is accepted one place, but shunned in another. For example, someone drinking beer and cheering loudly would be accepted, or even encouraged at a wrestling match. If you take that same person, performing the same actions, and put them at a ballet, that person would probably be swiftly escorted out of the theatre.

                The same is true with many social situations. Binge drinking is popular among young adults. This is something that is completely social. People who binge drink only drink when they are in social situations that encourage drinking. They may have several drinks in one night and become extremely intoxicated, but not drink again for several days or weeks. “Binge drinking is defined as having more than five drinks in a sitting if you are male or four drinks if you are female. If you are a regular binge drinker, you are at a much higher risk for physical and mental health problems than someone who drinks in moderation. However, because bingeing is often social, many people who binge drink don't feel that they can stop without losing their friends” Liebowitz (2009), (Lifestyles, para. 1).

                For many young adults, binge drinking is a part of their culture. Peer pressure plays a key role in the lives of binge drinkers. Many young adults feel pressure to adhere to the social norms of their culture, and binge drinking is just one of many of those norms. Because many people drink to fit in with the people around them, it is safe to assume that many binge drinkers feel as if they are an outcast. A precursor to binge drinking is the feeling that one is an outcast and does not fit in. This person will do whatever it takes, within reason, to fit in with the group of people they view as socially superior to them.

                There are, however, many consequences to binge drinking. The more a person drinks, the more likely he or she is to become an alcoholic. Alcoholism is a lifelong struggle. In addition to Alcoholism, many other consequences exist. “Binge drinking over an extended period of time can damage your kidneys and liver as they struggle to dispose of the toxins alcohol brings into your system… Experts estimate that if you binge drink on a weekly basis, you are eight times as likely to be involved in an alcohol related accident or injury than a classmate who does not binge regularly…. there are substantial statistical links between binge drinking and mental health problems. People who binge drink on a regular basis are more likely than their peers to experience depression, anxiety, and compulsive tendencies. Although binging often occurs in an attempt to be sociable and lively, frequent drinking binges can lead to feelings of isolation and depression” Liebowitz (2009), (Lifestyles, para. 4).

                Several social phenomenon have occurred because of binge drinking, but perhaps the best known is the binge-drinking culture in the United Kingdom. In the United Kingdom, drinks are often larger than in other European countries, and are served more frequently. In addition, binge drinking has advanced to not only regular nighttime drinking, but also to daytime alcohol abuse. “The UK binge drinking culture is also evidenced by the rather unique social phenomena of relatively large groups (8-15) of men/women (of vary different ages) going, without their partners, on a holiday abroad (typically to Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany or other traditional beer countries) with the main purpose of getting drunk together, often in broad daylight” Wapedia (n.d.), (U.K., para. 15).

                For many people, binge drinking is a phase that is gone through rather quickly. It is so common that it is often known as a rite of passage into adulthood. If this binge drinking is gone through quickly, and is proven to be just a phase, it is not necessary to provide therapeutic intervention. If, however, a person binge drinks for a long period of time, such as years, it becomes necessary to have some sort of therapeutic intervention.

                Another behavior that is socially influenced is Agoraphobia. Agoraphobia is the fear of open spaces. People who suffer from Agoraphobia are afraid to go outside of the places that they feel are safe. This fear limits social interaction because the Agoraphobic is afraid of new people, places, and things. Because the fear of new things is so strong, recovery is very limited.

                Agoraphobia can be both biological and environmental. Some studies have shown that genetics can play a role in Agoraphobia. The phobia can also be caused by physiological reaction to illness, life events, learned behavior, and social factors related to gender. The symptoms of Agoraphobia include: trembling, breaking out in a sweat, heart palpitations, paresthesias (tingling or "pins and needles" sensations in the hands or feet), nausea, fatigue, rapid pulse or breathing rate, and a sense of impending doom (Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders, 2009).

                People who are predisposed to Panic Disorder are more likely to suffer from Agoraphobia. Agoraphobia affects the person with the phobia in many ways. A person suffering from this phobia will feel more stress than the average person. Stress is proven to increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Agoraphobia will also limit the sufferer’s social interaction, thus leaving them alone in their world. This can lead to depression and suicide.

                Many holocaust survivors suffered from Agoraphobia after World War II. This social phenomenon was quite obviously caused by environmental influences. Many Jews were taken from their homes and put into “death camps” during the holocaust. After the war was over and they were released from the Nazi “death camps,” many of these people were afraid that if they left their homes again, they may be forced to go back to the camp.

                Agoraphobia is a mental disorder that requires therapeutic intervention. It is imperative that a person who thinks they may have agoraphobia see a professional in order to be diagnosed and treated for their phobia. Left untreated, many people suffering from Agoraphobia will become completely housebound and will suffer for many years. “With proper treatment, however, 90% of patients diagnosed with agoraphobia can recover and resume a normal life” (Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders, 2009, para. 21).

                It is clear that social interaction can influence behavior both in a positive and a negative manor. Social interaction is needed for a healthy mental state; however, people must be sure that they are influenced by people who possess positive traits that they admire. People tend to take on the traits of the people they spend the most time with. If a person allows themselves to spend most of their time with someone who has several negative traits, he or she will most likely adapt and take on those negative traits themselves.

































References



Liebowitz, Wanda. (2009). The Real Facts, Causes and Effects of Binge Drinking in a College

Setting. Associated Content. Retrieved from

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/39424/the_real_facts_causes_and_effects_of.html

Wapedia. (n.d.). Binge Drinking. Retrieved from http://wapedia.mobi/en/Binge_drinking

Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders. (2009). Agoraphobia. Retrieved from

http://www.minddisorders.com/A-Br/Agoraphobia.html

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