Human behavior in social environment
1. Introduction.
Human behavior in the social environment is determined by interplay of spiritual and psychosocial dimensions that impact to the people at different levels and stages in their lives. It forms an advanced collection of behaviors and influenced by attitudes, culture, ethics, hypnosis, genetics, and rapport which dictate the ability of the people to live with others harmoniously and be productive in the society (Roberta, 2008). This paper explores human behavior in the social environment and how it affects their livelihoods and development. Underscoring the essence of the spiritual dimension in the social lifestyles, the paper gives a detailed critique that expounds on the different aspects of human behavior.
2. Biopsychosocial Dimensions.
Elizabeth, (2007) points out that biopsychosocial denote an extended combination of biological, psychological and social dimensions of human beings that reflects their immediate and extended lifestyles and roles in the society as a determinant their recurrent behaviors.
Biological dimension.
It entails natural make up of an individual that forms the immediate intrinsic considerations of their bodies. According to the behavioral theory, natural laws apply to the human beings like other organisms where they inherit their immediate characteristics from parents (Glicken, 2004). Besides, the genetic constitution of the people acts as a core factor in enhancing people’s response to different stimuli. Ecologically, all the people are different and therefore with different roles to accomplish in an extended ‘human ecosystem’. As a result, women, men and young people behave differently in the society. It links the conscience and perception through impulses which interacts with other dimensions to determine an individual action. This dimension is strongly influenced by intervention with the immediate environment towards different aspects. Besides, there is strong adaptability and changes in the genetic considerations of the people with time and dependent on the interaction with the environment (Ashford et al, 2001). Though very similar, people who move from their areas slowly adopt to the new respective behavior for survival.
Psychological dimension.
This dimension involves inter subjectivity of humanistic approaches that focuses on fundamental issues of life like self identity, loneliness and freedom among others in the society. It forms the main building block of human behavior via body and mind influences to each other.
Cognitive development.
According to Piget’s theories of development, cognitive ability develops from an infant involuntary reflex coordination and reasoning through later repetitive reactions to an organized logical thinking that intercepts with other domains to bring out specified behaviors. Forming an expounded designation, it incorporates the principles of formal logic that builds and links certain behaviors to different premises. Cognitive development and application provides a systematic cause-consequence interlink that encourages reasonable ethical considerations of all the actions arising by the human beings (Elizabeth, 2007).
Social domain.
Elizabeth (2003) argues that this domain refers to characteristics of human beings of interaction through collective co-existence in the society. It incorporates the human attitudes that take interests of the people’s intentions via cognitive development of what and how their actions affect others. With human beings interacting directly with others, it denotes their ability to cooperate with them through interactions and the ability to belong to the community. In his attachment theory, John Bowby indicates that people derive their identity from the immediate community that demands them to behave in a certain way or style. Response to different aspects in their daily lives assumes and reflects similar behaviors for the same identity. The theory points out that many of the behaviors by human beings are direct modifications from the external developments and regulatory requirements.
According to Roberta (2008), family forms the first determinants of the societal introduction of an individual to the society though the nuclear family. Therefore, an individual becomes part of the broader society through initial mentor ship that models them from infancy to adulthood. Biologically, the family acts as a unit with different members having various roles to play in the society. Children and their parents behave differently between themselves and the society too. Though the family is part of the society, the children are released later after total development and cognitive ability fully established.
Cultural expectations by communities or geographical considerations have also impacted on the human behavior through immediate and direct dictation of the expectations at different ages. In African society, young men after adolescence are required to get married and begin their own families. Norms are formed in the society with clear demarcations and possible pressure to ensure compliance without major adjustments (Glicken, 2004). Schooling from the small age throughout the entire life to mature careers has been described as unequivocal in the western communities. In US and Britain, education is free and therefore compulsory for the people at the school going age to follow the norm. Some cultures consider individuals to be out of the track when they fail to track their cultural expectations in the society. However, deviations have recently been emphatic for different requirements especially those related with vast traditions that may be oppressive (Elizabeth, 2003).
Biopsychosocial dimensions have been described as the main determinants of human behavior in the society as they are direct derivatives of the environment that people live in and form the basis for further development or change. Underscoring the need for better outcome and responsible behavior from the people, it is clear from the psychosocial and biological theory that the societal demands and the ability of an individual to cognitively act responsibly determines the resultant behaviors (Crain, 2000). With the social work being directed to and for the benefit of the community, biopsychosocial dimensions of human behavior responds to the communities’ requirements and deploys a major platform for immediate adjustment to ensure better outcomes.
3. Spiritual dimensions.
This is the domain relating to human existence that involves the core of their person-hood and their relationship to universal power. The relationship to the super being is termed to be divine and enables the people to make sense of their lives in terms of stability, guidance, direction and purpose in life. Denoting subjectivity to the superpower, religions form beliefs that include creeds, dogmas, denomination identity and different rituals which they strictly associate with (Bruce at al, 2008). Human beings turn to spiritual guidance for inspiration and guidance in their different activities. Through written requirements like the bible and Koran, there is a well defined behavioral expectation for the people who associate with a specific faith (Ashford et al, 2001).
In the Bible, Christians are required to assume life like that of Jesus Christ. Therefore, they are expected to assume the best possible actions to them, others and God. Giving strong examples that indicate various actions that are bound to be good, the bible and Koran are much expounded and relate to all situations in life. Though the debate on the relation with the supernatural being has been occasionally questioned in different spiritual considerations, it is considered as part of a strengthening domain to the Biosychosocial aspects of human behavior (Ashford et al, 2001).
Besides, spiritual dimension invokes immediate action in a cause consequence model that links particular actions to different rewards. All spiritual considerations in life promise eternity to those people who follow their teachings. They therefore pose direct motivators to act in a certain way in the society. Good deeds are linked with precious rewards like golden crowns and eternal happiness in Islam, Christianity and Buddhism (Bruce at al, 2008). Besides, bad actions are linked to eternal harm and condemnation that is associated with vast torment in hell. However, different spiritual considerations may perceive actions to be good but in reality harmful to others. Islamic Jihad is considered holy according to the Koran but is very harmful to other people who are affected by the ‘holy war’.
Current social work practices are superimposed in postmodern constructivist idea that people create belief systems which give meaning to their experience and therefore spirits that inform people’s feelings as well as their actions become their ultimate realities. With spiritual consideration forming the largest aspect in the social circles, its application completes the actual holistic demand by the ecological perspective of the social work. Besides, doctrines that condemn people with different beliefs acts as a major source of intolerance, discrimination and oppression which social workers resist (Elizabeth, 2007).
4. Analysis and critique.
Human behavior in the social environment acts as a major interplay of the factors that influence intrinsically and/ or externally the actions to be taken by an individual in the society. As indicated earlier, biopsychosocial dimensions form the best platform for holistically understanding the human behavior in the society. Indicating the direct interlinks, the internal elements and external influences of the people are well outlined. It is clear that the immediate demands by the society ties individuals strongly to the societal norms which dictate the courses of actions they take. With the culture and family acting to train and impact on individual roles in relation the asocial work and societal demands, spiritual delineations ensure that a given group sails in the same direction (Glicken, 2004).
However, it is clear that there is an undue oppression of main logic to an individual by different expectations through the culture and spiritual orientation. Over the recent times, behaviors related to spiritual beliefs and religion have been associated with massacres and terrorism. As a result, there is great outcry from the affected people but great unsounded sense of achievement and determination to continue by the perpetrators. The collective ethical role for societal development puts responsible social behavior at jeopardy. There is lack of major consideration of the personal abilities and input to determine the immediate best outcome in their behaviors (Elizabeth, 2003). Though spiritual dimension tries to widen the perspective to cater for the best outcome those impacts to the society with maximum benefits, there is lack of immediate emphasis on the people’s different abilities and talents that may assist in ensuring better and responsible behavior.
Due to advancement in development and technology, it is important to revitalize the roles of the people in the society incorporating the modern aspects of logical considerations necessary for effectively ensuring accountability in people’s behaviors. Though, biological consideration is fixed in the society, legislations should be emphatic on the other aspects like religion and immediate cultural requirements to ensure irresponsible behavior in the society.
5. Reference list
Ashford, JB., Lecroy, C., & Lortie, K.I. (2001). Human behaviour in the social environment: A multidimensional perspective (2nd Ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thompson Learning.
Bruce, A., Karen, M. & Catherine, N. (2008). Comprehensive Handbook of Social Work and Social Welfare: Human Behavior in the Social Environment. New York: John Wiley and Sons.
Crain, W. (2000). Theories of development: Concepts and applications (4th Ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Elizabeth, D. (2003). Dimensions of Human Behavior: The Changing Life Course. New York: SAGE.
Elizabeth, D. (2007). Dimensions of Human Behavior: Person and Environment. New York: Sage Publications.
Glicken, M.D. (2004). Using the strengths perspective in social work practice. Boston, MA: Pearson.
Roberta, R. (2008). Human Behavior Theory & Social Work Practice: Third Edition. Washington: Aldine Transaction.
