How does the environment influence behavior?

Whoever tells you that we are victims of our genetic inheritance, tell them that they are wrong. Although this has an undeniable influence on behavior, the role of the environment is shaping and impossible to ignore. Without their influence, our ability to adapt would be non-existent.

From the moment we enter this world, we are exposed to a variety of factors that influence and change us throughout our lives. In this article we will offer you the most important ones with their main characteristics. Do not miss it!

What environmental factors influence our behavior?

From the place where we are born to each person who passes through our lives, they leave a mark on our emotions and thoughts, as well as on our decisions and actions. Through social psychology this is appreciated and its knowledge is deepened, which has allowed us to discover several factors such as those presented below.

1. Culture and social values

The profound effect that the culture of a society has on the behavior of the individuals that make it up is something that cannot be contradicted. The norms, values ​​and customs of each of them are internalized from childhood, which shapes a personality adjusted to these aspects.which maintains the operation of the system.

Some cultures are more collectivistic, which leads to a configuration of people more concerned with the well-being of others and collaboration. Others are more individualistic and encourage competitiveness and independence of each of their members. Both are valid, as long as the members of society are productive and peace is maintained.

2. Social pressure and influence

In this section it is important to mention the experiment of Solomon Asch, who showed that People are prone to change their responses to conform to other people’s opinions. These results were significant even in those situations in which the subject knew that others were giving the wrong answer.

Although some subsequent replicas have not found Asch’s overwhelming result, this tendency towards conformity has been confirmed. From this derives the innate desire of each human to feel integrated and avoid conflict with the social group.

3. The physical environment

In relation to environmental factors, those that are literal are taken into account, that is, the person’s physical environment. Sensory stimulation (colors, sounds, icons, etc.) and the configuration of an individual’s environment have a direct effect on their personality.

An example of this is the daily hours of light. Through a study published in Nature Reviews Neuroscience, it was confirmed that exposure to natural light regulates circadian rhythms and influences learning capacity and mood.

Likewise, in the journal Translational Psychiatry it was suggested that the interruption of these light-guided rhythms also alters brain regions related to emotional regulation, leading to greater instability.

4. Early experiences

In this list, one cannot ignore one’s own experience and, specifically, that which occurs in the first years of life. During childhood, that period where brain plasticity turns us into learning sponges, life experiences take on an unavoidable relevance.

Under this premise, Bowlby’s attachment theory states that children’s early experiences in relationships with their parents produce personality patterns in adult life. In particular, the type of attachment that develops (secure, insecure, avoidant or disorganized) will be linked to the parenting style of the parents.

According to this theory, people relate to others and their environment in a specific way, which depends on the parenting style of their parents.

5. Socioeconomic status

It cannot be ignored that the socioeconomic level with which one is born also has a direct impact on behavior. In many countries, low socioeconomic status exposes families and individuals to a wide range of risks.

In general, the opportunities to prosper are smaller and there is a higher rate of school dropouts and risk of addictions, in addition to other consequences that are exposed in an article published in Psychological research report.

Thus, The risks and oppressions that a person experiences due to their economic and social status shape various aspects of their behavior.such as affection and impulsivity.

The influence of the environment on behavior is inevitable

As you have seen, the environment directly influences the behavior of the individual and, in addition, interacts with their genetic load. Recognizing negative behaviors and trying to modify them is necessary to achieve the happiness of the members of a society, since this guarantees their life satisfaction and health.

On the other hand, Reflecting on which of these factors affect us on a personal level is of great help in developing plans against adversity.. It is a beneficial path of self-knowledge for anyone who wants to adapt to their environment in an optimal way. Don’t miss the opportunity to analyze it.

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