MODULE 5

SOCIAL BEHAVIOR

SOCIAL BEHAVIOR
Social behavior refers to the behavioral interactions of individuals within groups. From
the time of birth, individuals are "social animals." Without primary social interactions (with
parents and caregivers), no infant would exist. Even when a person becomes capable of
surviving independently, he would not opt to live in isolation or seclusion. Even in prisons,
rehabilitation centers, or monasteries, there are always venues for social interaction; it always
part and parcel of human existence. Study of human behavior, therefore, would be impossible
without considering social interaction.
GENETICS AND SOCIAL BEHAVIOR
Later researchers suggest that there are genetic links for certain personality traits such
as criminality and other anti-social behavior. Males with XYY chromosomes, as surveys would
indicate, are likely to become inmates of prisons and mental hospitals. There are recent studies,
however, which have questioned the link between the extra chromosomes and aggressive
tendencies.
CULTURE AND SOCIAL BEHAVIOR
The state and perception of a person's personality and behavior, mental wellness, and
illness are determined by physiological, psycho-social and cultural factors. Bell (1994) defined
culture as the representation of a person, group, or community's internal and extremal daily
expression of their beliefs, values, and norms. It also refers to any way in which an individual,
group, or community defines itself or is defined by others.
Cultures around the world vary in value and belief systems. Culture now includes, not
only the traditional idea of race, ethnicity, and religion but it also extends to age, class,
socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender, professions, etc. It is important, therefore, for
an individual to develop a worldview perspective to help him and others in his adaptation
process. According to Warren (1987), worldview’s evolve from racial groups' cultural beliefs and
values. Worldview perspective, therefore, refers to the individual's beliefs regarding what he or
she considers to be true, and of value. It also represents the individual's thoughts about values,
knowledge development interactions with others, and role in the universe.
FAMILY AND SOCIAL BEHAVIOR
Family is a dynamic system of people living together who are united by meaningful
emotional bonds. The family has two principal functions: It ensures the survival of the species,
and transmits culture. Family structure refers to the forms a family takes in adapting and
maintaining itself (Minuchin, 1974). Family structures helps the family integrate biological,
psychosocial, spiritual, and cultural factors in its adaptive and survival processes. It also
determines how family members interact and carry out their roles in the family. Family roles,
thus, are specific behaviors or patterns that are expected of individuals within the family
structure.
Epstein and Bishop (1981) classified family roles into two: necessary family functions
and other family functions. Necessary family functions are critical to the health and well-being of
the family members, which include:
1. Allocation of resources (food, water, shelter, and finances)
2. Nurturance and emotional support (validation, reassurance, and comfort)
 3. Sexual gratification of marital partners or couples (initiating and responding to each
other's sexual needs)
4. Development of life skills (Academic and personal development)
5. Maintenance and management of family systems problem solving skills, managing
finances)
SOCIAL CONTROL AND SANCTIONS
Social control refers to methods and strategies exercised to ensure that individuals conform to
accepted patterns of behavior. Violation of society's norms usually elicits negative responses
such as rebuke, ridicule, or even in extreme cases, banishment (deportation or exile), and
physical violence. If a person does not know how to play the role expected of him, and culpably
violates the social norms, he may be labeled anti-social, deviant or worst, threat to society or
insane. Adhering to the norms of society and playing roles correctly could be rewarded.
SOCIAL INFLUENCES
1. Conformity is the adjusting one's thinking and behavior to coincide with a group norm or to
a greater social standard. Conformity is often the product of peer, group, or social pressure.
Usually, the individual adopts the new behavior or attitude as his or her own.
According to Solomon Asch, individuals, in certain conditions, will conform to a group's
decision, even if it is clearly incorrect or impractical; people conform to a group judgment
either to gain social approval (normative social influence) or because they welcome the
information that others provide informational social influence).
2. Compliance is acceding to an instruction or even a request or agreeing to follow a group or
social standard. It is always a result of following expectations, roles, social norms, and
conventions. Behaviorally speaking, there are instances, however, when an individual may
comply openly, but privately disapprove of the subject of the compliance.
3. Obedience is the compliance with the command or order from higher authority in a
hierarchal structure or organization. However, individuals who are strictly complying with
orders (e.g. "obey first before you complain" norm in the military) that are illegal, if not
immoral can be deemed to act in blind obedience, and this is particularly the rule in some
secret societies and terrorist organizations, which cannot be accepted by individuals of
civilized societies.
DEVIANT BEHAVIOR
Turner (1978) defines deviance as behavior that violates significant and Widely held
social norms and are evaluated and reacted to negatively members of a society. Howard and
Hattis (1992) define deviancy as behavior that goes beyond certain limits of what is considered
normal and is always radically different from the norms, especially if done consistently.
All social systems have norms and values for judging normal behavior. However,
deviance is relative. What is abnormal in one culture may not be necessarily unacceptable in
others. The Philippine Constitution prohibits abortion, polygamy, and divorce, and is silent about
same sex-marriages. The Catholic Church regards all of those as immoral acts. In the many
countries, however, these are now acceptable as legal) and moral acts. In Muslim States,
polygamy is the norm in their family relations.
Deviant behavior may be caused by mental illness or psychological disorder, or
temporary deviance caused by alcohol, drugs and other mind-altering substances. Deviant
behavior may also be attributed to those who violate standard rules of our civil or political
 society where punishment is applied to the offender. There were times, however, when
society's rules were repeatedly broken with the support and approval of the members of our
society; first during Edsa 1 in 1986, restoring democracy to the Philippines and EDSA Dos in
2001, where Filipinos deposed their President whom they charged of corruption and immorality.
SOCIAL BEHAVIORAL DISORDERS
1. Social Phobia- Persons with this disorder have persistent fears and avoidance of situations that
expose them to humiliation or embarrassment (public speaking, use of public comfort rooms,
speaking to authority figures).
2. Paranoid- Persons with this disorder have pervasive distrust of others and suspect that they are
exploiting, harming, or deceiving them. Paranoid individuals persistently bear grudges, and are
unforgiving of insults, injuries, or slights
3. Schizoid- Persons with this disorder demonstrate a pattern of detachment from social
relationships. They neither desire nor enjoy close relationships, including being part of a family.
They do not have close friends or confidants other than first degree relatives. They always
choose solitary activities. (Antai-Otong, 2003)
4. Bipolar or Manic- Depressive is characterized by cyclic or recurrent swings of depression and
elation. In the manic phase, the person displays hyper-excitability, excessive motor activity, and
flight of ideas. In the depressive phase, there is under- activity, unresponsiveness, retardation of
thought, sadness, anxiety, and in some cases, suicidal impulses.