Social Adaptation via the Internet   Term Paper ID:43296 Click to get this paper

Essay Subject: This paper discusses how the Internet has changed the behavior and relationships of people ...... More...

7 Pages / 1575 Words 6 sources, 12 Citations, MLA Format $28.00 Return to List of Papers

Paper Abstract: This paper discusses how the Internet has changed the behavior and relationships of people and groups where socializing is concerned. The intended consequences of the Internet are discussed and whether or not adaptation in socializing bears out these consequences. Unintended consequences are also highlighted. Paper Introduction: Social Adaptation via the Internet The Internet is now a pervasive technology that has organized peoplein a new way to complete many tasks from doing business and attendingcollege to obtaining news and socializing The Internet is a technologicalcreation of a new environment through which people socialize Like mostsignificant inventions the Internet has the potential to greatly impacthow people socialize both in intended and unintended ways As Affonso notes While our culture heralds the Internet as a technologicalwonder there is evidence that Internet Text of the Paper: The entire text of the paper is shown below. However, the text is somewhat scrambled. We want to give you as much information as we possibly can about our papers and essays, but we cannot give them away for free. In the text below you will find that while disordered, many of the phrases are essentially intact. From this text you will be able to get a solid sense of the writing style, the concepts addressed, and the sources used in the research paper. It seems that negative or unintended consequences of socializing viathe Internet stem from overuse of it or replacement of all traditionalsocial interaction with "virtual" or online socializing. Fromindividuals of similar interests coming together from miles apart toactivist groups joining forces "electronically" to make a difference insociety, the Internet offers enormous potential for positive outcomes onindividuals and society. Like television, the Internet can have a positive or negative impactdepending on its use. This analysis will explore the way the Internet has influencedadaptation in socializing in American culture. There is thedanger that individuals who over-rely on the Internet for socialinteraction will become isolated, communicating only with "electronic"social contacts. Where the Internet isconcerned, it is clear that the adaptations it has wrought in socializingare both positive and negative. This is particularly true with respect to becomingbetter social agents, by developing skills like honesty, a sense of humor,and charm in social interactions. However, this is because any technology isdependent on its use. Works CitedAffonso, Bob. There is no significant technology ever invented, from fire to theInternet, that does not have the potential for both good or bad. In Human Adaptability, Emilio Moran shows how numerous aspects ofthe environment and culture in a specific setting are the basis of societyas an integrated whole. The intended and unintendedconsequences of this Internet-related adaptation in socializing will alsobe addressed. The intended consequences of the Internet were varied. Ithas even changed the way people feel when they interact, because it removessome of the risks associated with in-person socializing. The Internet has clearlyaltered the way people and groups interact, behave, and think aboutthemselves. 1). Social Adaptation via the Internet The Internet is now a pervasive technology that has organized peoplein a new way to complete many tasks, from doing business and attendingcollege to obtaining news and socializing. This undermines the risks that abnormal social developmentwould occur, since it is virtually indistinguishable from conventionalsocializing in this sense. Whether the intended consequences of this adaptation insocializing were realized will be illustrated. Morannotes how the introduction of technology often creates diverse links withoutside institutions, or, as is the case here, with individuals. Kraut (1 17)conducted a longitudinal study that observed the impact of Internet use onsocial skills of participants over a two-year period. The Internet has dramatically changed the relationships betweenpeople and their environment, between individuals, and between groups.Moran (148) explains that the Internet is a technological innovation thathas pervaded the native arctic cultures, where natives "use the Internetand cyberspace to define their identities...and tell their own stories toensure their self-determination." The Internet has removed traditionalbarriers to socializing like geographical distance, significant costs, andothers. "Is the Internet Affecting the Social Skills of Our Children," December 1, 1999. Like mostsignificant inventions, the Internet has the potential to greatly impacthow people socialize both in intended and unintended ways. This will continue to be the case in future,especially since new technologies are permitting individuals to socializein ways that offer verbal, written and visual exchanges simultaneously. People also socialize in new ways online, like finding others withsimilar interests and forming a Blog or Newsgroup. http://uregina.ca/~gingrich/n2f99.htm, accessed 1 May 2 9, 1-11.Kraut, Robert. "Bring Everybody Into the Web." New Statesman, 23 July 2 1, 13 -131."Functionalism and Parsons," November 2, 1999. Moran(23) maintains there are "human dimensions" of global environmental changeand the way people and groups now socialize and interact is having abeneficial impact on advancing environmental responsibility the world over. The application of technology by humans is whatmakes it negative or beneficial to society and human beings. Despite these and other unintended consequences of adapting tosocializing via the Internet, this form of socialization offers "adiversity of overlapping interactions" that Moran (22) maintains isimperative for a system to be resilient. As Moran (22) shows, this is trueof ecosystems but it is also true of social systems: "Global media,international labor flows, the spread of infectious diseases and chronicdiseases, and the global economy are transforming concepts of community,culture, and society." This is clearly the impact of the Internet oncommunity, culture and society where socializing is concerned but alsoother aspects or components of the whole of society, like education (onlinecolleges) and business (eCommerce). http://sierrasource.com/cep612/internet.html, accessed 1 May 2 9, 1- 4.Brierley, Natalie. Improvements in writtenand verbal communication skills often stem from this adaptation.Socializing via the Internet also saves time and improves efficiency. A conclusion will addresswhether the Internet and the adaptation in socializing it has fostered havebeen a positive or negative development in human history and why. This isprimarily because its invention has wrought monumental change on nearly allaspects of human existence. Theatomic bomb could be used to destroy the world, while atomic energy couldsave it from the impact of reliance on fossil fuels. Some of those have been realized, such asexpanding access to social interaction by removing traditional barriers toit, from geographical distance to cost. In this manner, Internetsocializing improves conventional socializing by removing traditionalbarriers that offer greater access. A perfect example of adaptability in thewake of Internet socializing is how it has changed people's behavior whendoing so. For instance,people would never socialize in-person at a function in their bathrobe withtheir hair unwashed and slippers on their feet but they are more thancomfortable socializing this way online. As Brierley (13 ) explains, "Many of us would prefer to speak tothe person sitting next to us in the office via computer rather than faceto face." The impact on social interaction because of the Internet issignificant and pervasive in American society, especially now that wirelessdevices permit Internet socializing (email, texting, etc.) through cellphones, laptops and other devices. Institutions and structures exist in society as awhole, and "the different parts of each society contribute positively tothe operation or functioning of the system as a whole" (Functionalism 1).Socialization is one aspect of society that contributes to its healthyfunctioning overall. The data showed that"greater use of Internet was associated with declines in participants'communication with family members in the household, declines in the size ofsocial circle, and increases in depression and loneliness" (Kraut 1 17).In this sense, an unintended consequence of Internet socializing has beenthat some individuals have wholly replaced conventional socializing.People who over-rely on the Internet socializing run the risk of avoidingany interpersonal communication in the real world setting. In this sense, we see that Moran (13 ) seems toview society from the functionalist perspective, seeing the goal of thedifferent parts of society as promoting well-being of the whole throughadaptation, even referring to religion as a "regulatory adjustment." Infunctionalism, society is viewed as having various needs that must beachieved for survival. Human Adaptability: An Introduction to Ecological Anthropology. Others have become addicted to its potential foranonymity and hide behind its faзade exclusively rather than engaging inreal world social interaction. As Affonso(1999) notes, "While our culture heralds the Internet as a technologicalwonder, there is evidence that Internet use has a negative impact onindividuals and their social skills" (p. Goods and services must be produced, a politicalsystem must be established, the need for a justice system is required andso on and so forth. Kraut (1 17) compares the Internet to television in thatboth activities imply "physical inactivity" and "limited interaction."However, with new technologies those who socialize via the Internet can doso through visual images and sound as if socializing in the sameenvironment. Many peopleenjoy a more robust and vibrant social life because of the Internet, havinggreatly increased their social skills and expanded their social contactsthrough its use. People often find lost friends, family members or othercontacts decades after last communicating because of new Internet forms ofcommunication that link people globally, like Facebook and MySpace. "Typing, Doing, and Being: Sexuality and the Internet." The Journal of Sex Research, 42(4), 342-351. The intended consequence of the Internet was toenhance socialization and to spur the development of socialization skills. Westview Press, 2 7.Ross, Michael W. Improving people's social skillsthrough increased interaction and exposure to diverse views, beliefs,perspective and cultures was another intended goal of the Internet that hasbeen realized. As Ross (342) explains, "With theavoidance of facial and verbal cues, social risk is largely averted, whilecommunication is enhanced." For those who are insecure or shy in socialsettings, the Internet permits socializing in a context that precludesthese fears. The Internet is a technologicalcreation of a new environment through which people socialize. "Internet Paradox: A Social Technology That Reduces Social Involvement and Psychological Well-Being." American Psychologist, 53(9), 1998, 1 17-1 31.Moran, Emilio F. Where socializing is concerned, there were anumber of intended consequences. When people socialize on the Internet, they also increase theirknowledge and learning. In this manner, the Internet has had an overallpositive impact on socializing between individuals and groups. Despite the beneficial impact of the Internet on the way people haveadapted their socializing, there have been unintended consequences onpeople and social interaction because of its influence. Keeping in touch with relatives, friends and social acquaintancesregardless of time of day, distance in miles or other barriers totraditional socializing is now possible. If this paper is not what you are looking for, you can search again: Search for: or Click here to request an essay written just for you.