If you are around alot of bad people will you develope some of the same bad characteristics?
2007-09-28 13:55:37 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Psychology
The saying, 'birds of a feather, flock together' is true. Behavior is learned, if you're around people acting bad long enough, eventually you too will take on their behavior. It has nothing to do with weakness.
2007-09-28 14:08:48 · answer #1 · answered by Gem 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's possible, however, as rational beings, we are also capable of weighing things out. we know what behaviors to imitate and what behaviors are not in accordance to our conscience. there are a lot of factors to consider on whether a person who is constantly exposed to certain "bad behaviors" is also going to develop them. human beings have intrinsic drives that force them to fulfill what they want in life. im sure you have read or heard a number of success stories about people who have lived in environment that are not conducive for success as well as for developing certain traits that is correlated to success expectations. those people are more in tune with their inner selves hence they did not allow their environment to determine what their future will be.
but then the if the reinforcement behind imitating such behaviors is strong, then most likely the person is also going to develop it. for one, the "need to belong" to a certain group can be a very strong determinant of whether a person will behave like others in the group do. at the same time, if you are talking of a "child" then the probability of that child developing bad behaviors is higher relative to those who are older because children are not yet fully aware of what behaviors are desirable and those that are not. take for example the experiment done by bandura on children imitating aggressive bevaviors after being exposed to aggressive film.
2007-09-28 21:32:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the person, some people get easily influenced especially if a younger person was around older people who are being rude or what not. Some just ignore it. I guess how long you are around them for counts because it might just feel normal in the end if you are around them most of the time.
2007-09-28 21:02:36 · answer #3 · answered by Francesca C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you will if you are too weak to stand on your own...which most likely is the case, if you are not strong enough to stay away from bad people.
2007-09-28 21:27:03 · answer #4 · answered by M2 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. I feel that people do emulate each other. I see children everyday that start acting bad in class because they see other students acting that way. Sometimes all it takes is one student to start the party.
2007-09-28 21:04:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It can be for some people. If you're a strong person, then it wouldn't matter what others around you are doing. If you're a follower instead of a leader.....yes.
2007-09-28 21:03:17 · answer #6 · answered by First Lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think there are leaders and there are followers, and some will do bad just to be accepted.
2007-09-28 21:03:38 · answer #7 · answered by just me 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes that can be true for some people who are very weak!
2007-09-28 21:01:05 · answer #8 · answered by Jai 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋