Influences of Behavior

As individuals communicate, interact, and acquire life experiences, social cognition begins to form (Carter & Seifert, 2013). Processed thoughts act in creating social norms, which shapes individual behavior, influenced by social motives such as: belonging, understanding, controlling, enhancing self, and trusting (Carter & Seifert, 2013). These factors guide behaviors based on individual perceptions.

Studies show that people who are viewed as attractive [biology] receive more favorable treatment, and are perceived as nicer people and skillful communicators (Carter & Seifert, 2013). As an illustration, one study showed how attractive individuals received more “likes” and friends on Facebook (Greitemeyer & Kunz, 2013). The assumed perceptions of what it means to be attractive, or what can be gained by associating with attractive people, influences behavior and gives a sense of belonging and enhancing self.

Individuals are also attracted to, and would like to be in close proximity of similar people. According to Carter & Seifert (2013), “people tend to gravitate to those who are like themselves” (p. 633). Couples are likely to be equally physically attractive and share in the same core values (Carter & Seifert, 2013), further illustrating the social motive to understand and trust. Also, important, is the reciprocity of liking principle—liking others who express liking toward you (Carter & Seifert, 2013), to which the importance of feeling good and agreeing with others is valued.

Think: How is your behavior influenced?

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References
Carter, K., & Seifert, C. M. (2013). Social psychology. In Learn psychology (6th ed., pp. 615-641). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Greitemeyer, T., & Kunz, I. (2013). Name-valence and physical attractiveness in Facebook: Their compensatory effects on friendship acceptance. Journal of Social Psychology, 153(3), 247-260. doi:10.1080/00224545.2012.741629