An interdisciplinary study of human behavior - Term Paper Example

? AN INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDY OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR SCHOOL The study of humans has been ongoing for a long period. The division of this study includes psychology, sociology and anthropology. Psychology focuses on the study of brain functions, emotions, cognitions and the development of relationships. Sociology focuses on study of human groups and societies. Sociologists study the influencing factors that bind human groups together. How the human kind relates with each other often for survival both while aware and unaware. Anthropology on the other hand, studies human culture and society. Many factors affect behavior varying from Genetics to the environment. Environment has enough capability of changing the character of an individual to lead to the development of an entirely different individual. Genetics; traits passed through the family gene have led to the different groups of individuals in existent in the current world. This essay will focus on all three perspectives less broadly relating each on the three specific groups of individuals the Hispanics, the white Americans and the black Americans. Psychology apart from mental disorders also studies abnormal behavior among individuals, and this can include the analysis of intelligence and personality. These studies have enabled several researches, which caused variations in the way people understood human behavior. The present day men has a clear understanding between normal human behavior and what can be categorized as illness and probably require particular attention. Human study has evolved in so many ways shunning away thought that mental disorders are a curse from the gods. Psychology development led to remedies that caused the wake-up call from such disillusionment. In the old days abnormal behavior led to the exile of those affected. Families hid their affected children as they feared getting names or people their line age is cursed. Through sociology, relationship between the humankind is improving each day. The ways of man are now clear, with the different cultures around the world human beings have managed to peaceful belong or at least strive to belong. This however does not qualify as a reason to relax and quote completion. There is still more to be discovered and uncovered. Each new day dawns a new society a being different from the known. Sociology thus focuses on global organizations, groups, institutions and associations. Anthropology unlike sociology encompasses a broad spectrum of the society. It studies culture and society while focusing on roles such as race, anatomy, biology and gender of the human kind. This study also broadens on the impact of kinships, languages and economic factors on the people. To further understand human behavior, this essay focused on the relationship between Hispanics, black and white Americans. The international relationships that exist have enabled these three communities to live together as one people. The difference in their character no matter their closeness is almost definite. Hispanics are almost totally different to the other two groups and vise versa for the other two groups. If attention focuses on education, it can be noted that drop out from school amongst Hispanics and black American students is high compared to white American students. Proof exists showing that students who drop out of high school are many amongst these two minority groups. Since the study focused on behavior of these three groups in America it is certainly a cause for concern since they all live in the same country. Several factors could be the cause of these. A research conducted revealed that Hispanic students only 54 percent finish high school, for white students the number goes up to 78 percent and African American students 56 percent. High school drop outs have a fairly low success rate in the labor market. (Green, 2001) This being the case the minority group of Hispanics and African American form the main category of individuals with low paying jobs and life in poverty. This cannot guarantee a bright future for their offspring’s as they have to toil and sweat to get resources for studying; intrinsic motivation, which should come from viewing one’s surrounding and emulating. Their children have no one to emulate. The target they often set then becomes comparable to the same one their parents are following. Children like these get a future not desirable and go through hardships and struggles in life. The chance of teenage pregnancies, abortion, high crime rates, drug addiction and prostitution amongst these communities is high as compared to the White Americans. Of course with time the roles are shifting, but instead of shifting towards a different group this should be stopped. There is a belief running around that the black American community relate with violence and continuity of crimes. On average graduates earn a better salary allowing them to sustain their family and have enough for the luxuries they desire. This reduces the stress level and the chances of stress related diseases that lead to death and institutionalization in mental facilities. From this statement, one can clearly get an idea that the other groups other than the White American face less chances of a mental break down and often lead fulfilled lives. From the discussed points, it is clear that family back ground, parental education and income play a vital role in schooling outcome of children. Many believe that education defines and determines success. This being the case behavior between these three communities can be attributed to the education gained. Engaging in activities like prostitution and crimes only shows that either education was not highly emphasized, or funds for the same lacked. High level of immigration has led to increase in the number of immigrants especially Hispanics. The census in 2000 showed that the number of Hispanics has increased by almost 60 percent in the last decade. The number has moved from 23 million in 1990 to 35.3 million in 2000. This number will increase, and soon Hispanics will make about a quarter of the US population. Thus, the development rate should be leveled and ensuring that all US citizens get equal opportunity to succeed. The difference in behavior of these three groups as seen could be caused by several factors that is; the fact the two of the groups compose of immigrants, poverty level, which still can be attributed to them being immigrants. Other factors include less emphasis on education, lack of role models for the younger generation to emulate within their specific communities. Parental education is a significant push, which determines whether the offspring get an education or not. The 1997 US census showed that, the Hispanics held positions considered to be highly risky and low social positions as compared to48 percent of whites. The status of Hispanics and Black Americans hence continues to be lower compared to that of the White American. The extravagance of the latter groups has on the other hand, led to start of many other things and groups. Same sex marriages and transgender groups are common among the White American groups. Freedom to exercise any activity is easy as they have the resources and creativity which led to the rise of such. The other groups are following suit, and currently same sex marriages are notable among the Black and the Hispanic too. The more time passes the world embraces different cultural behaviors. Another behavior that clear cuts difference between these three groups is smoking. Hispanic women smoke less than their male counterparts and also less than the females from the White minority. The explanation here from the acculturation theory is that the rates of smoking converge as acculturation increase. This research showed that smoking was less among the more acculturated men than among the less acculturated men. There is almost a clear cut difference between these communities. Differences acquired a long period of time because of culture, immigration, education, poverty and other factors. Still they make one nation of individuals with different cultures. References Green, J. P. (2001) High School Graduation Rates in the United States. The Manhattan Institute for Policy Research Civic Report, November. U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Reports. (1997) The Hispanic population of the United States.Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. . Read More