Social behavior is understood as a way of behavior that individuals choose to display their abilities, capabilities, desires and principles within social action or interaction.
What is "behavior" in sociology
"Behavior" is a concept that came to sociology from psychology. The concepts of action, activity and behavior should be separated. Action and activity usually have a rational rationale, purpose, are carried out consciously, using strategically defined methods and means. Behavior, on the other hand, is rather the individual's response to an ongoing change (external or internal).
The norm of social behavior, principles
The basic principle and norm in social behavior is behavior that fully coincides with status expectations. Society, thanks to these expectations, can predict the behavior of the individual with a high probability. Also, the individual himself coordinates himself in accordance with the accepted social attitudes and models.
Behavior that coincides with social attitudes is usually called a social role. Along with this concept, the concepts of “role complex” (system of role expectations) and “role conflict” (incompatibility of different role statuses and expectations within a single way of behavior) are distinguished.
In the most general sense, the social behavior of an individual manifests itself, first of all, in accordance with the level of his socialization. It is known that the level of biological instincts in all people is approximately the same, and behavior depends on the qualities that he acquires in the process of entering society (as well as on acquired and innate mental characteristics).
Forms of social behavior
To develop and achieve the set goals, a person usually uses two types of social behavior - ritual and natural. These two types of behavior differ fundamentally.
Natural behavior is usually directed towards individual goals, centered on the individual's selfish aspirations. That is why the individual tries to achieve this goal by any means. This type of behavior is not socially regulated, and therefore, can be considered immoral and arrogant. In natural behavior, a person is guided by the satisfaction of his natural needs. Natural behavior is usually based on social agreements and mutual concessions on the part of individuals.
Ritual behavior - thanks to this type of behavior, society continues to exist. Various rituals deeply penetrate social life, people may not even notice that they exist daily in the field of ritual interaction. This type of behavior is a means of maintaining a stable social order. Thanks to such forms of interaction, an individual can achieve social well-being, maintaining and strengthening his status. Cooperative (altruistic) and parenting behaviors are considered particularly strong.
