Do You Think Human Beings Are Social Or Anti-Social?

Question

I myself think anti-social. For example just look around you on a bus the next time your on one. Everone sits serpartely and when there's a free seat they shift over. And when there are plenty of empty seats people will sit as far away from each other as possible. You may also note everyone is doing some anti-social activity like, reading the newspaper or listening to their MP3 or handheld console. All of these distracting us and making us become anti-social but that's just my opinion, if you have one, social or anti-social please discuss. Social or Anti-social and why?

Answer 1

Good question... and a good observation, but...

There are plenty of other situations where people are 180 degrees in the opposite direction to their programed bus ride behavior. In any situation where people expect to be seeing each other with any degree of frequency, work places, schools, churchs, clubs, etc., you'll see knots of people getting together like nails to magnets.

I like to look at kids to test questions like this. Sure there is shyness to overcome in the beginning, but a kid being kid and having fewer commitments to time or even an undeveloped conception of it, can generally be expected to find a friend in almost any situation and in almost no time at all... don't you agree?

I'd say that basically, we're social by nature and that we tend to become anti-social in our appearance more so than in fact.

((( r u randy? )))

Answer 2

Your question, as you put it, is quite interesting. We are definetely social persons, or social animals, because we constantly interact with each other, produce socially, talk to each other all the time, etc. There is no question that we are social beings. Nevertheless, the examples you mention are what in sociology is called alienation, or individualism. The urban society, which is characterized by people grouping in cities (this began happening after the industrial revolution circa 1750) favors individualism and alienation. Individualism is the fight for a place in the city, the struggle for the best jobs, basically the survival of each person in an incredibley large mass of people. Alienation is the overwhelming feeling persons feel in a city where you are just a number, where you are anonymous. Plus, the evolution of technology has made us behave like that on a bus, for example. You get on a bus and immediately begin playing with your cell phone or listening to your Ipod. This is something that might not happen in small towns, where everyone knows each other and might chat on the bus instead of sitting alone. What I am trying to say is that we are social beings, but the city makes us antisocial due to a large quantity of factors and characteristics. If you go to a small town, or better yet, analyze a tribe of Indians, you will see how much more social they are than we city people are!

Answer 3

Depends on the person. I usually smile at everyone that either looks like they need a smile, or has a friendly face and makes eye contact. I usually don't sit too far, and I never mind when someone sits next to me. (Unless they smell unpleasant lol) I will occassionally start up a conversation if I'm planning to be where ever I am for a long period of time. The only time that I am anti social is when I'm either uncomfortable or tired. : ) It just depends, but I see your point. As people we are drifting further, only minding our own and are getting more and more careless with others. Not much we can do about it besides try to make the difference from our tiny little individual end, but hey ... you'll never know when a smile or a simple conversation / joke will make a world of a difference.

Answer 4

People are generally social beings. They need to interact with other people, whether by telephone, meeting face to face, internet, etc. Some are extroverts and others are introverts, but not too many are hermits. In fact, some people have actually gone insane because lack contact with others (solitary confinement) and it is a scientific fact that healthy babies can die from lack of contact (even if they otherwise cared for) it is known as "failure to thrive."

Maybe it is easier to see in animals. Lions, for example are social and live in a pride. Tigers on the other hand, are anti-social and will avoid other tigers completely unless it is mating season or they are raising offspring.

Answer 5

We are social creatures. We require interaction with our own kind and rely on each other for emotional and mental support. We live abstract, unnatural lives now. Our anscestors were not, and we aren't, adapted to social groups that number in the millions like you find in cities. Most folks are comfortable with 10 - 40 friends and/or associates. Ignoring each other helps alleviate the stress and tension of being around so many strangers. It's a defense mechanism.

Answer 6

I think it just depends on the situation. Just think of all the things that people do together...sporting events, concerts, community fairs/picnics, school, church.......if you have something in common right off the bat then you have something to talk about. Then if you take your example ....the bus or train ride...these people could have just gotten up fro sleep, and are trying to get geared up for work...or vis versa they are winding down from work.

In my opinion i believe it is the minority that are really really anti-social...most everyone enjoys the company of others in one way or another.

Answer 7

Some people are ,some aren't.My boyfriend is very anti social he hates being around people(except for me).I am social and have lots of friends and enjoy people.sometimes it causes a small tiff.But we have learned to each give in a little.Setting aside alone time for him and friend time for me.After 2 years he even has fun with people around.

Answer 8

When I was younger, I was anti-social. Then I started going to a lot of hippie festivals (Grateful Dead shows and the like), and realized in a great crowd of people like that, I can be quite social. All the hippie culture is the best! Peace+Love=Happiness!

Answer 9

I think it depends on the person. I think I'm anti-social. But my mom is definately social -- she makes friends with people when she's standing in line at stores.

Answer 10

I think that humans are just afraid of each other bcos we're so self conscious. But we are definitely social: Look at cities and other urban areas, and the amount of chronic marriage and divorce. Also look at chat rooms. ppl are very social, but are afraid of what others think. That's why chat rooms are popular...bcos no one can see us.