“One of the most basic topics in social psychology is the way one
agent influences the behavior of another.” (Hepburn & Potter, 2011, p 99)
This is the basis for the definition of social influence. There are three types
of social pressure: conformity, compliance, and obedience (Renner, Morrissey,
Mae, Feldman, & Majors, 2011). Any one of these influences can pressure a
person into behaving in a manner he or she normally would not. Aggression and
prejudice are two behaviors that may be socially influenced. This paper will
discuss aggression and prejudice in relation to social influence.
Aggression
Aggression is the intentional injury or harm to another person. In
social psychology, aggression is defined in terms of the purpose behind the
behavior (Renner, et al, 2011). Sigmund Freud was one of the first
researchers to suggest that aggression was primarily inborn, or instinctual.
Other researchers suggest that aggression is caused by frustration, or the
reaction to what is blocking one’s goals. Another approach to aggression is
observational learning, or the theory that aggression is a learned behavior.
This theory focuses on the rewards of the person as well as the model for the
behavior. Each of these theories could be applied to a person who exhibits
aggression.
Let us look at an example of aggression influenced by social
influences. In pre – school, Student B hits Student A because the student will
not submit to his demands. When speaking with Student B, counselors learn that
his or her father is aggressive when one does not submit to his demands.
Therefore, it can be concluded that Student B learned aggressive behavior from
his or her father. Student B’s aggressive behavior may further be reinforced if
he or she sees the father seems rewarded after displaying aggression. Another
example that supports the observational learning theory is the playing of video
games. The person who plays a violent video game and rewarded for the violence
within the game may become aggressive to gain the same reinforcement outside of
the game. In both of these examples, the aggressor learned his or her behavior
from an external model.
“Individual performance can be either helped or hindered by the
physical presence of others”, (Wood, Wood, & Boyd, 2011, p 549). Social
facilitation is the effect on performance affected by the presence of others.
This presence can be as either an audience or cohorts. In terms of aggression,
social facilitation is seen in bullying. When a group bullies another person,
the group sometimes feeds off of each other. The aggressive acts are
intensified (or sometimes lessoned depending on the situation) based upon how
all members of the group react to each other.
Anger is a common and natural emotion. However, inappropriate
expression is a reason for concern (Feindler & Engel, 2011). The
cognitive-behavioral theory focuses on how one view the world around him or her
and reacts to them. Cognitive – behavioral therapy can be helpful in changing a
person’s view of why he or she views aggression as positive as well as help him
or her change the behavior. Anger should be exhibited in positive ways and not
in ways that hurt another person. A person who has a problem with aggression,
especially major aggression, should reach out to someone for help.
Prejudice
Stereotypes are generalized beliefs and expectations about a
certain group of people. Stereotypes can be negative or positive. All
stereotypes have one thing in common: people use them to view others as a group
rather than as unique individuals. Stereotypes can lead to positive or negative
prejudice. Prejudice is the evaluation of a group of people. Positive prejudice
is as simple as saying, “I love Italians.” However, prejudice is mainly seen as
negative such as saying, “I hate Mexicans.” Social psychologists have focused
mainly on understanding negative prejudice (Renner, et al, 2011). While
prejudice is the view of a group of people, discrimination is the behavior
towards a group.
The oldest explanation of prejudice is the realistic conflict
theory. This theory states that as a competition increases among people, so do
prejudice and discrimination (Wood, Wood, & Boyd, 2011). Another
explanation for prejudice is in – groups and out – groups. These groups are the
result of people dividing the world into categories. In – groups are social
groups from which others are excluded. Out – groups are social groups comprised
of the people excluded from the in – groups. Ethnocentrism can also lead to
prejudice. Ethnocentrism is the viewing of situations from one’s own cultural
perspective.
Groups of people who share negative prejudice thoughts are thought
to have conformed to groupthink. Groupthink is where all members of a group
think the same with no regard to individual feelings. These groups do not
accept differing views. The members no longer think as individuals, but as a
consistent group.
“According to the social – cognitive theory, people learn
attitudes of prejudice and hatred the same way they learn other
attitudes.” (Wood, Wood, & Boyd,
2011, p 562) Social – cognitive therapy would benefit the person with negative
prejudice thoughts. By definition, cognitive treatment approaches teach people
more adaptive ways to view the world. Social – cognitive therapists can assist
the person with extreme prejudice on how to view people as individuals rather
than as a group.
Conclusion
Social psychology studies how people’s
thoughts, feelings and actions are affected by others. Aggression and prejudice
can both be affected by social influences. Both behaviors can produce negative
consequences for all people involved. With the proper treatment, people can
work past these behaviors and produce positive results.
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