How Do Social Groups Influence An Individual's Behavior

As human beings, we are without a doubt attracted to others who share the same beliefs and morals as us. As a result, we thus become members of different social groups, whether it be at a personal or societal level. According to sociologist Emile Durkheim, membership in these social groups leads to social integration, which refers to the level of attachment one feels to the social group(s) to which they belong. In fact, the higher the level of social integration—one 's devotion to a social group—the more likely an individual will alter their behavior in order to comply with group beliefs. Consequently, social groups in which an individual belongs to can undoubtedly influence or control one’s behavior, depending on how loyal they feel to said group. Throughout this essay, I will analyze how being a member of different social groups—the Roman

Specifically, my partaking in “The Fest of the Seven Fishes”—in which meat is banned all day and seven different types of fish are prepared for dinner—every Christmas Eve is perhaps the most noticeable example of how being Italian-American controls my behavior. Despite the fact that the only individual in my family who can eat fish is my father, we follow this tradition every year because it is an Italian Christmas Eve tradition. On the other hand, being an Italian-American can simply influence my behavior as well, most notably seen when I select various housewarming presents based on what they represent in the Italian culture. However, unlike my being a member of the Catholic Church, being an Italian American is an identity that I cannot change—one cannot choose their heritage like they can with their religion. Due to the fact that it is a social group I was born into and am familiar with, I willingly comply with Italian traditions despite the fact that it influences and controls my