Types of Social Behavior in Groups
Humans live, work and socialize in groups. Very few people choose to live an isolated life apart from others, and thus an understanding of behavior in groups is important to understand human behavior in general. Social behavior in groups is influenced by social processes that influence the behavior of individuals.
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Emotional Behavior
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People behave emotionally, both individually and in groups. Emotions can include fear, anger, sorrow, joy and excitement. In a group, individuals are influenced by the emotions of others around them. Sometimes, people can form groups with the express purpose of letting out or expressing emotions, and the expression of a particular emotion drives everyone in a group. It is often possible for the leader of a group to exert considerable influence over the emotional behavior of others in a group, inciting particular emotions in the members of the group. A example of emotional group behavior is public mourning for a deceased public figure or celebrity.
Violent Behavior
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Violent and aggressive behavior can often occur in groups. Crowds or groups of people are more likely to behave violently than individuals. As some members of the group become violent or aggressive, others copy their behavior and it becomes normalized. This creates a pressure to be violent in order to fit in with the norms of the group. This might be seen, for example, in a rioting crowd of demonstrators. Sometimes, people behave violently against the rules of the group they are in. Often this is because people want to achieve a particular goal that is more important to them than the rules of the group.
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Prosocial Behavior
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Prosocial behavior can be described as altruistic behavior. It involves helping others, for example by aiding someone who is distressed, or carrying out volunteer work. Prosocial behavior benefits the individual or individuals who receive help, and the wider society. Many psychologists argue that altruistic behavior is not entirely un-selfish, and that people carry out altruistic acts in the hope of gaining similar help themselves in future. Sometimes, prosocial behavior might be limited to helping family and friends, benefiting the individual by helping him preserve his immediate group.
Group Action
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People use groups to achieve particular aims. For example, people might gather in large crowds to try and achieve change in their society, or they might form small groups based around a particular interest. In either case, the group has a specific purpose and aim that influences the behavior of the people in it. When they are part of the group, they act in an organized and cooperative way to achieve the goal they have set themselves.
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References
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