UNIT 2 SOCIAL INTERACTION AND
HUMAN VALUES
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Objectives
2.3 Interaction: Types
2.4 Verbal Interaction
2.4.1 Physical Appearance
2.42 Flattery
2.4.3 Sympathy
[Link] Case Study of Isabelle
2.4.4 Politeness
[Link] Thirty Minutes Interaction and Values Learned
2.5 Non-Verbal Interaction
2.5.1 Gestures
2.5.2 Courtesies
2.5.3 Friends
2.5.4 Couple
2.6 Golden Values for Interaction
2.7 Steps to foster Social Interaction
2.8 Success of Interaction
2.9 Lesson on Life
2.10 Let Us Sum Up
2.11 Answers to Check Your Progress
2.12 References
2.1 INTRODUCTION
- -
Human society is a product of interaction. Social interaction is the process by
which we act and react in relation to those around us on Social interactions are
acts, actions, or practices of two or more people mutually oriented towards each
other's selves. Social interaction is a matter of a mutual subjective orientation
towards each other. Even when no physical behavior is involved there is social
interaction. Moreover, social interaction requires a mutual orientation, wherever
people treat each other as object, things, or animals, or considers each other as
reflex machines or only cause-effect phenomena, there is no social interaction.
Such interaction may be organized, controlled, or regimented. Social Interaction
depends on:
Culture (norms and values)
Society
Social Dynamics and Value Personality (individual)
Development
Biology (genes)
Social interactions are the acts, actions, or practices of two or more people
mutually oriented towards each other's selves, that is, any behavior that tries to
affect or take account of each other's subjective experiences or intentions. This
means that the parties to the social interaction must be aware of each other -
have each other's self in mind. Social interaction is not defined by type of physical
relation or behavior, or by physical distance. It is a matter of a mutual subjective
orientation towards each other. Thus even when no physical behavior is involved,
as with two rivals deliberately ignoring each other's professional work, there is
social interaction.
Social interaction requires a mutual orientation. The spying of one on another is
not social interaction if the other is unaware. Nor do the behaviors of rapist and
victim constitute social interaction if the victim is treated as a physical object.
Indeed, wherever people treat each other as object, things, or animals, or consider
each other as reflex rnachir~esor only cause-effect phenomena, there is no social
interaction.
Why we interact? How we interact, with whom we interact with and what values
we learn while interacting- all these questions are dealt with, in this chapter of
social interaction and human values.
2.2 OBJECTIVES
After we study thts unit you should:
understand the meaning and types of interaction;
understand desirable values for verbal and non verbal interaction;
analyze the correlation between socialization and interaction;
analyze tools of interaction: positive and negative;
discuss the importance of interaction
INTERACTION: TYPES
Interaction otherwise called communication is an important aspect of our lives,
affecting the relationships we have with others and ultimately influencing the way
we experience our lives. Interactions play an important role in the human
communicationprocess. Broadly speaking we have two main forms of interactions:
Verbal and Non-verbal. If we come to verbal communication, it refers to the
exchange of meaning through the use of language. It is the medium of words
through which meanings are conveyed and language varies on the basis of culture
and social /regional background of the individuals. Whereas some words are
very clear in an organization, others are open to interpretation.
Nonverbal communication is used to modify verbal communication, as it can add
to the verbal message being conveyed, complementing or even contradicting the
message. Nonverbal communication expresses the feelings of the individual,
indicating the amount of like or dislike toward others. Nonverbal communication
serves to regulate the communication exchange, and provides cues for interpreting
communication. Eye contact, vocal variances and gestures all serve are examples Social Interaction and 1
of non-verbal communication.
Both types of communication exist primarily on the concept of symbolic
communication, and cannot be fully understood without considering the other
Verbal and nonverbal communication are directly related, and understanding the
power each style exerts over the entire communication process is key to effectively
developing and executing quality communication strategies.
Our day begins with interactions; the interaction can be with family members,
hostel mates if you are a student, travel mates, colleagues or simply strangers. The
interaction can be fiendly interaction, unfriendly mteraction orjust normal intaaction.
The purpose of interaction can be casual, focused or unfocused.
VERBAL INTERACTION
The Interaction through words, speech and language is called verbal communication
While learning values through social interactions we must remember Aristotle7s
remarks that, "A man is a social animal. He is born in society, lives in society and
dies in society." Therefore man will interact with other social beings for fulfilling
his needs and desires. Suppose, I like to talk to you and you like to listen, we
will get along fine and we can say that interaction was fair. But if I like to talk
and you do not like to listen we will no longer interact [Link], we see that
interaction is a series of such exchanges. Our life revolves around such interactions.
You put up with school and teachers in exchange for a degree; you refrain from
yelling at your boss in exchange for the chance to keep your job and you
compromise with your spouse in order to keep safe your marriage so on. Through
a series of such exchanges with people, we eventually come to realize our worth.
To have interaction we must make use of several tools of interactions available
to us.
The tools of Interaction refer to those tools which actually help us in interacting.
It is of two types, first which connotes negative meaning and second are the
positive tools of interaction. The first is as follows:
Gossip
Eaves dropping
Dropping Names
We all are familiar with these terms; many of us also use them as tools of
interaction for achieving desired goals. How far it is true with you? How many
times have you found yourself gossiping, backbiting, eavesdropping and dropping
names? It can also be true that many of you may not be engaged in such practices.
It is expected that we should not be involved in using negative tools of interaction.
Why not make use of positive tools of interaction. The positive tools of interaction
also bring desired goals. The difference lies in its approach.
The above mentioned terms can be best explained through photographs. All the
photographs which are shown here are downloaded from the internet.
Social Dynamics and Value
Development
The picture shows various moods of
persons during interaction. (The
(picture is taken fi-om [Link]
photo [Link] 7.3.11)
Let us see how the positive tools of interaction help in learning good values.
Physical Appearance
Flattery
Sympathy
Politeness
L i
Check Your Progress 1
1. What is verbal interaction?
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' 2. What are the positive tools of interaction?
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Human Values
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mi What are the effects of non-verbal communication?
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iv) What are the negative tools of interaction?
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2.4.1 Physical Appearance
Do you believe that beauty, dressing sense and right posture are positive tools of
effective interaction? Perhaps it's true. Woman is voted for her beauty and man
for his income.-Have you ever encountered a beautill young woman draping her
arms around short, bold but successful businessman? Each has something the
other desires. She has beauty, and he has the capacity to take her to glamorous
places and buy her expensive things. Both the parties are aware of their short
comings but they are interachg well with each other. Do you agree that physically
attractive people get all the breaks? Perhaps it is also true. Benefits of beauty
accrue early. Beginning with nursery school, beautill children are liked more by
adult, teachers and classmates. They are perceived as more competent then their
less attractive counterparts. Men like to be seen with beautiful women and women
like to be seen with handsome men. Attractiveness of a partner is an indication
of one's own status and self esteem
Give your opinion on the following statements:
i) Beautifid Soul exhibits good values resulting positive interaction.
iii Beautill Body exhibits good values resulting positive interaction.
mi In a beautill Body lives a beautill Soul.
2.4.2 Flattery
Flattery is overdue praise of somebody or something in order to please them.
Dale Carnegie the author of 'How to win friends & influence people ' (2008)
Social Dynamics and Value recommends flattery and praise as the two important tools of positive interaction.
Development The advice is by integrating the flattery, you will get anywhere. The imditional folk
wisdom however teaches us that f l a w will get you no where. The Dale Carnegie
approach of flattery could also be fBulted because you might suspect that someone
who praises you lavishly is out to M p u l a t e you. The nice comments directed
at you may be merely devices to get your money, time or anything that you would
hesitate to give.
The supporters of use of flattery say that the best part of flattery is that flattery
makes you polite, kind and considerate. Such people are always appreciated in
the group. Thus it will lead you nearly everywhere.
t
Activity
Do you agree with the statement that flattery leads you somewhere? Is
flattery your tool of interaction? Identify the flatter and non-flatter in your
group. What flattery words are used by them? Write the flattery words.
2.4.3 Sympathy
The moment you show sympathy you earn a lot of regard. It is rightly said that
we can hardly change somebody's situation but at least we can have a sympathetic
attitude. Even lip sympathy is rewarded, We have great appreciation for those
who sympathize with us because in the course of a person's life, many h g s can
happen to him over which he has no real control. For instance he may be bitten
by a mosquito, he may slip on a banana peel and sprain his knee, he may step
on rusty nail and develop blood poisoning, his house may be destroyed in a flood,
he may develop a debilitating disease, he may become the crippled survivor of
a train accident, he may be a beggar in the street.
These unfortunate people may become helpless victims of fate and expect your
sympathy. a s is also our moral code of conduct. But at times we avoid helping
such persons and even then justify our behavior. We often say, people get what
they deserve and deserve what they get.
We can understand the importance of social interactions by reading this case
study of a child who was raised in isolation until the discovery a few decades ago
by authorities. The case was reported by Kingsley Davis.
[Link] Case study of Isabelle
Isabelle was kept in extreme isolation because her inother was deaf and
dumb. She spent most of her time in dark room along with her mother. As
a result Isabelle had no chance to develop speech. When she communicated
with her mother it was by means of gestures. Her behavior towards strangers
was almost like that of a wild animal. She made only a strange croaking
sound. In many ways she acted like an infant.
At the age of 6 she was rescued fiom her life of isolation. She was brought
to an institution to be cared for and taught. There the staff had sympathetic
attitude towards her. At first she seemed feeble minded but eventually entered
school where she participated in all school activities as other children did.
This case study shows how important is social interactions in our lives to
become a truly human being.
(Source: [Link]
retrieved on 7.3.1 1)
7
2.4.4 Politeness Social Interaction and
Human Values
Manners make a man and civility is the new rule in the global world. We must
know how to talk, how to behave, how to respond, how to welcome guest afid
how to be extra nice. Nowadays, schools and colleges take time out to teach
these skills. The lack of soft slulls is a hindrance in the path to success. Listening
is an art, we must consciously learn it. Learning the basic rules of politeness is
very important. We must understand the benefits of politeness as a tool of positive
interaction.
[Link] Thirty minutes interaction and values learned
The alarm clock rings at 6 on Monday Morning and Shreya leans over to
shut it off. 'Five more minutes, she mutters to herself. Her mother is calling
and telling her she'd better start getting ready. Mother says you have
missed your school bus twice this month. And then I have to drive you to
school at high speed violating all traffic rules and escaping every now and
then and parking car at wrong place. Shreya dawdles for few minutes, rolls
out of bed, hurriedly gets dressed, goes down stairs and starts towards the
door. Mother calls again. Come on, you should have some breakfast. You'll
still be on time. You need to eat.
Look either I eat and my bus driver gives me the evil eye again or I don't
and you'll tell me 1'11 waste away.
She runs to the bus stop and reaches a minute before the bus comes.
This situation is quite common in our everyday hectic life.
Read the narration again and while reading write down the hidden values. The list
of values given in the box are describing only 30 minutes of interaction fiom one
persons life. The values learned are stated in the box below.
Time management, P u n d t y , obeying traftic laws, learning Parking rules,
Eating Healthy food, Parents watch on children and children's respect to
parents, obey and discipline, do not cause inconvenience to others.
2.5 Non-Verbal Interaction
The interaction through gestures, facial expression and body language is called
non-verbal interaction. Body language consists of body movement, gesture and
eye movement. It is believed that 93% of our communication is through body
language and only 7% of communication is through words. Body language gives
clue to our state of mind. Gestures are a form of body language. It is a motion
of the limbs or body made to express speech or thought.
The fact is that most of us simply do not r e d i z d e reinforcing potential of smiles,
head nodding or sounds of approval. The secret is to practice these tools for
good and positive interaction.
Social Dynamics and Value
Development
2.5.1 Gestures
The V-sign made by Winston Churchill the British Prime Minister during world
war-I1 meant victory. The V sign originated fiom two finger salute.
es)
The clenched fist (adopted by the Black
Panthers) means revolutionary struggle.
(Source: http:llwwwfotosearchcomj)
The gesture of handshake is originated from
the idea of showing to all that one's hand
held no weapons.
(Source: [Link] co. idimages)
Activity
Make a list of (ten) gestures common in our country and write down what
it symbolizes.
Activity
Do different countries welcome their guests differently? At least, write six
different ways of 'welcome gesture' giving examples from six countries.
Activity
Play Dumb-charade with your friends. Dumb-charade is a game between
two persons where one person will enact through action. And the other
person will define his action in words. Learn the signs of dumb-charadde
game.
