Part 1
Humans
are a social species and as such have developed highly advanced capacities to
socialize. Humanity has evolved in such a way that it is capable of ensuring
that it is able to not only promote its interests, but also those of other
species across the planet. Thus, human beings have risen from being prey for
other species, to being the apex predator of the planet, and this situation has
come about mainly because of their ability to socialize. Socialization has
allowed for the establishment of a scenario within which humanity is better
able to communicate with one another to such an extent that they have made
great achievements. However, while this may be the case, it is essential to
note that humanity, because of its ability to socialize, has also shown a
capacity for destruction that is unprecedented in the history of the world. Not
only have humans developed some of the worst weapons to fight one another, such
as nuclear and biological weapons, they have also undertaken courses of action
that can only be considered self-destructive, as seen in the manner through
which climate change and its resulting effects are not being taken seriously.
This paper makes an evaluation of the claim that humans are a social species
that have both positive and negative consequences for society.
One
of the most fundamental characteristics that mark humanity is their need and
ability to socialize. This species seems to have been built to attain
socialization, and this can be seen in the manner through which humans will
constantly seek out other humans not only for companionship, but also to attain
a sense of community (Hardman, 2009). Humans seem to only be able to thrive when they
are with other humans, meaning that they cannot attain their full potential
without the company of others of their species. It is pertinent to note that
because of this characteristic, humans have also been able to establish
themselves into societies; a factor that cannot be underestimated. This is
because humanity has, through socialization and the establishment of societies,
been able to secure for itself a large part of the world. Societies are what
makes humans one of the most unique species on the planet because they not only
provide these individuals with an environment within which they feel safe, but
they also ensure that these individuals are better able to master their
environment and establish unique communities. Thus, socialization has allowed
humanity to thrive in all environments across the world, from the mildest to
the harshest climates. The need and ability to socialize has also allowed for
the establishment of an environment within which humans have been able to
thrive in a manner that has yet to be achieved by any other species.
Socialization can be considered responsible for the establishment of human
civilization and the manner through which these civilizations have been able to
develop and grow in their uniqueness.
Additionally,
the ability of humans to socialize has also established their capacity to help
one another. It has allowed members of this species to develop societies that
can be considered avenues of mutual assistance. Societies allow individuals
within them a place within which they can support one another, as seen through
how different talents are brought together for mutual benefit. The
specialization in different tasks that is prevalent in society is an aspect of
socialization because human beings within such societies are able to make use
of their unique talents to advance the course of their communities (Hardman, 2009). Furthermore, in modern society, as the gap
between the rich and poor has widened, there has developed attempts by some of
those that are wealthier to provide support to the poorer ones through a
diversity of philanthropic initiatives. Also, in certain communities, such as
those that have Islam as the official religion, individuals that are well off
are obligated to support their poorer counterparts as a means of making sure
that all individuals have their basic needs fulfilled. Humans, therefore, are a
species that because of their ability to socialize, have developed a sense of
empathy towards one another. Empathy is a characteristic that is most observed
in humans, which shows that despite the considerable differences between the environments
in which they live, it remains paramount. It is for this reason that humans are
the species that stays with their young for the longest period because the
latter are not only helpless at birth, but human parents will often invest
considerable time and effort into ensuring that their children grow up in a
safe environment. The latter characteristic is one that has allowed humanity to
establish strong bonds of community that has ensured the species continues to
thrive against all odds.
However,
despite the latter being the case, humans, because of their being a social
species, also has the capacity to cause great harm to one another. This can be
seen through the wars that have taken place throughout human history. Most of
the wars or conflicts that have taken place are between human communities as
they compete because of pride due to their ethnicity or over resources (Hardman, 2009). Consequently, the human ability to socialize,
which has allowed for the establishment of communities, has also led to these
communities viewing others as rivals. Conflict is a part of human nature, and
this has become prevalent, especially when one considers how this species has
established communities with distinct identities. Fighting over resources has
been a factor of human existence since the beginning of societies, and it has
resulted in the deaths of uncountable individuals. Furthermore, in the process
of these conflicts, some human communities have shown a great capacity for
violence, as they have undertaken to not only conquer their weaker neighbors,
but also exterminate them through genocidal acts. This can be seen in the case
of such major events of the modern world as the genocides that took place
during the Yugoslav Wars and the Rwanda genocide in the 1990s, among many
others throughout human history. The capacity of humanity to cause harm to
others is born out of the idea that their community is superior to others, and
this was the justification for the European powers colonizing other parts of
the world during the age of empires. The colonization process in most cases was
undertaken violently, to such an extent that in some parts of the world, the
native communities became extinct.
Moreover,
the human capacity to cause harm can be seen through the harm it has caused to
the environment. The latter can be considered to have also come about because
of humans being a social species. The rapid growth of human societies and urban
areas created a demand for goods and services that could no longer be sustained
through subsistence, hence the development of industrialization and the mass
production involved in the provision of these products. Consequently, the
continued demand for resources and products has created a situation where
considerable harm has been caused to the environment through the emission of
greenhouse gases into the atmosphere (Adams, 2020).
The urge to increase human economic output is a driving force in today's globe.
This is a process that encompasses both the consumption of commodities and their
way of production, and it frequently overlooks the need to promote
environmental concerns (Adams, 2020).
As a result of this condition, without concern for human beings' living
environment, it is becoming increasingly impossible to ensure that it is
protected from harm. Human activity is putting significant strain on the
planet's natural functioning. This is a critical topic because it entails a
scenario in which the varied ecosystems present on Earth may be unable to
sustain future generations.
Therefore,
it is essential to make sure that there is the promotion of a scenario where it
is possible to bring about the creation of initiatives where humans are able to
change for the better. This process requires that humanity learn to work
together hand in hand as a means of not only preventing causing harm to one
another, but also to the environment. The human ability to socialize can
therefore be brought to the fore in order to promote the development of strong
initiatives aimed at ensuring the prevention of its harmful effects. For
example, the issue of preserving diverse ecosystems for the benefit of future
generations cannot be taken for granted, and there is an urgent need to promote
an effective way of mitigating this problem (Adams, 2020).
The latter is an urgent issue which requires cooperation from all sectors of
human society in order to be effective. Additionally, humans have the international
institutions necessary to ensure that the effects of conflict and climate
change are mitigated effectively in order to bring about lasting solutions to
these problems. Also, ecologically sustainable behavior patterns are a
pertinent means of making sure that there is the achievement of the goal of
making all humans responsible for their actions towards the environment. This
change in culture, from one dominated by consumerism to one that is
environmentally conscious, has the potential of playing an important role in
not only bringing about a greater level of sustainability with a diversity of
ecosystems intact, but it also allows for a reduction or even elimination of
the social inequality that is prevalent in modern society.
In
conclusion, humans as a social species are capable of causing both positive and
negative consequences for society. They have the capacity to ensure that not
only is it possible to achieve great things through working together, but also
establishing frameworks of mutual protection and support. However, while the
latter may be the case, it is also necessary to consider that humans as a
social species cause significant destruction as seen through the senseless
violence towards one another during conflicts, and the undertaking of
activities that are harmful to the environment. The latter have become matters
of serious concern in the modern world to such an extent that there are calls
for action to be taken. There is the need to promote the idea that humans have
to take advantage of their ability to socialize in order to undertake actions
to bring about behavior patterns that ensure environmental sustainability and
an end to conflicts with one another.
Part 2
One
of the most significant factors concerning the modern world is that conspiracy
theories have become more prevalent. This has developed to such an extent that
it has to be taken seriously in order for there to be effective means of
preventing it from spreading. For most of the human population, conspiracy
theories might be difficult to take seriously to such an extent that when
individuals hear them, they are more likely to ignore them than to accept them
as fact (Byford, 2011).
The belief that there are secret masterminds behind events and that there are
major cover ups on a global scale is actually a factor that is only chuckled
over when heard. However, with the advent of social media, this has become a
serious problem. It can be seen in the manner through which the students have
readily accepted the belief that tracking devices have been put in their
vehicles to monitor them and that the solution is to use their phones when
driving. Such conspiracies and belief in them can be considered detrimental to
the welfare of the students involved because it creates an environment of fear
and risk taking that is in reality nothing to worry about. The recognition of
the fact that this theory and others like it might be endangering the lives of
students is enough to promote the need to advance initiatives to understand the
reasons behind why students believe them. The latter is a challenge that needs
to be established as a means of bringing about the promotion of a scenario
where there are effective means of reversing their effects on the beliefs of
the students involved and instead promote risk aversion behavior when they are
driving.
One
of the most significant factors that might lead the students to believe the
abovementioned conspiracy theory is that they want to maintain control over
their lives. This is especially the case where they feel that they do not have
control and this sense requires that they take on actions that help them regain
it. In this case, they are essentially becoming influenced by a form of bias
that enforces their outlook of the world over those that are factual. The human
mind has evolved to value consistency and regularity. As a result, when a great
crisis occurs, whether locally or nationally, the unexpected unpredictability
scares individuals to such an extent that they will want to get back to control.
Consequently, these individuals will seek satisfactory explanations for what is
happening, even if they are patently incorrect (Byford, 2011).
Conspiracy theories appear to supply the answers that these individuals seek.
The latter might prove a challenge because it allows individuals the belief in
something that makes them comfortable and in control. It reduces their capacity
to think beyond the theories that have been presented to them; instead creating
a scenario where they are placed in a position of great vulnerability. It is
this vulnerability that leads to the problem mentioned; namely driving while on
the phone. Most of the information concerning this theory comes from social
media, meaning that the students have to be prevented from viewing such sites.
This can be done through the school essentially reporting the site and its
contents to government regulators so that further action can be taken.
However,
this is only the first step, the next one being to encourage group counseling
sessions that will allow for the debunking of the conspiracy theories. This
process will require that there is the identification of those individuals that
believe in the conspiracy and play an active role in its spread. It is noteworthy
that such individuals are attracted to the idea of the presence of a huge
villain, which is one of the distinguishing characteristics of any conspiracy. Whatever
the plot says, they will almost certainly lay the blame at the feet of an
underground group that's pulling the strings of the world right under their
noses. They can be real, like the government, or fictional, like the
Illuminati, but they all play a vital role in the plot. Such beliefs are fueled
because a strong belief that only a few people share such a lonely experience (Byford, 2011).
Humans are social creatures by nature, and most people do not want to feel like
the recluses and outliers that conspiracy theorists sometimes portray.
Certainly the internet has solved this dilemma, for better or for worse, as
there are now hundreds of social networks where like-minded conspiracy
theorists can communicate, discuss their theories and have their beliefs
verified by others.
Therefore,
there is need to target those students that feel isolated and are therefore
susceptible to such theories. Those who are self-conscious are more inclined
than others to believe in conspiracy theories, maybe to deflect blame for their
failings. Powerlessness, anxiety, solitude, and alienation have all been
connected to conspiracy ideas (Byford, 2011).
Those who believe they are unimportant cogs in the political, economic, and
social wheel are more likely to believe that malevolent forces are at work.
Meanwhile, other techniques of addressing misinformation should not be
abandoned because they contribute to its reduction. Debunking is exceedingly
tough, yet it has the potential to be successful. Rather than just labeling
something wrong or misleading, debunkers must explain why it is untrue,
pointing attention to deception methods and presenting evidence. It may be more
beneficial to inform students about conspiracy ideas ahead of time. It can
operate as a preventative measure against disinformation. This strategy alerts
individuals to the possibility of disinformation before they believe it. Addressing
the students' psychological needs may amplify these impacts. This may make
conspiracy theories and other falsehoods less appealing, as well as increase
overall well-being. Education disproves conspiracy theories by developing
critical thinking and empowering individuals. Other approaches might foster a
sense of shared identity, enhancing emotions of belonging and significance.
There should be an emphasis on solidarity within the student body and making
sure that there is the advancement of means through which students are
encouraged to make use of the institution’s counseling services. This will not
only combat the effects of loneliness and anxiety that makes students
vulnerable to conspiracy theories, but will further enhance their ability to
resist the temptation of believing conspiracy theories.
References
Adams, M. (2020) Anthropocene psychology: Being human in a more-than-human world. Routledge.
Byford,
J. (2011) Conspiracy theories: A critical
introduction. Springer.
Hardman, D. (2009) Judgment
and decision making: Psychological perspectives. John Wiley & Sons.
