Social support

Definition

Social support refers to the various forms of assistance, comfort, and care that individuals receive from their social networks, including family, friends, and communities. This support plays a crucial role in shaping an individual's behavior and attitudes, particularly in how they respond to social influences, learn from others, and engage with their environment.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Social support can take many forms, including emotional support (like empathy), informational support (providing advice or guidance), and tangible support (providing physical help or resources).
2. Research shows that higher levels of social support can lead to lower rates of criminal behavior, as individuals with strong social networks are less likely to engage in deviant activities.
3. Social support not only helps in coping with stress but also influences the learning process by providing role models and reinforcing positive behaviors.
4. In the context of differential association theory, social support can facilitate the transmission of values and norms that either promote conformity or deviance depending on the group's characteristics.
5. A lack of social support can result in feelings of isolation, which may increase vulnerability to negative influences and criminal behavior.

Review Questions

• How does social support influence an individual's likelihood of engaging in criminal behavior?
  • Social support plays a vital role in determining an individual's behavior by providing emotional and practical assistance. Individuals who receive strong social support are often less likely to engage in criminal behavior because they have positive role models and a network that encourages conformity to societal norms. Conversely, those lacking social support may feel isolated and vulnerable to negative influences that could lead them toward deviance.
• Discuss how social support contributes to the learning processes outlined in differential association theory.
  • In differential association theory, social support is crucial as it influences the learning of values and norms from one's peers. When an individual is surrounded by supportive relationships that promote lawful behavior, they are more likely to adopt those positive behaviors. However, if their social network endorses criminal activity, social support can facilitate the learning of deviant behaviors instead, highlighting the dual role of social support in both encouraging conformity and enabling deviance.
• Evaluate the implications of weak social support systems on community crime rates based on theories of social learning.
  • Weak social support systems can significantly increase community crime rates by creating an environment where individuals feel isolated and unsupported. Theories of social learning suggest that without positive role models or guidance from supportive relationships, individuals may turn to deviant groups for connection and validation. This lack of positive reinforcement for lawful behavior can lead to a cycle where crime becomes normalized within communities lacking strong social ties, ultimately impacting overall public safety.

Related terms

Peer Influence:

The impact that peers have on an individual's behavior, choices, and attitudes, often leading to conformity or the adoption of similar behaviors.

Socialization:

The lifelong process through which individuals acquire the norms, values, and behaviors appropriate to their culture and society.

Community Engagement:

The active participation of individuals in their local community, fostering relationships and collaboration among members to address shared issues.