Thanks to our motivation to work together as a species, we have developed invaluable tools and techniques for cooperation and information exchange. is a significant limitation for many.
As a result of our social nature, we relate to the entire universe and to other humans who are the essence of that universe. moreover, How our ancestors behaved thousands of years ago is relevant to how we behave in the 21st century.Gilbert’s social class theory suggests an explanation for how we now behave as a society and as individuals.
For thousands of years, the relationships we have experienced as a species have provided us with an invaluable resource. For example, information, knowledge, skills and all the abilities that every self-respecting creature is designed for. survival.
Even today, this subject fascinates and amazes many of us. Motivated by interaction, we have developed a tool as valuable as language, the alphabet, letters, printing, and computers. This could not exist without our sociable nature. However, some people experience serious problems in their relationships and suffer greatly as a result.
social unrest
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) defines social anxiety as: Fear or anxiety experienced by an individual when exposed to the possibility of being examined by another personAdditionally, they are afraid to engage in certain behaviors or exhibit symptoms of anxiety.
At this point, we need to distinguish between situations with real interactions and non-interactive situations.
- interactive situation. Those involving contact and information exchange with others. Examples include starting and maintaining a conversation, dating someone, going to a party, or refusing to do something you don’t want to do.
- non-interactive situations. These are situations that occur in social contexts even though they do not involve an actual exchange of information with someone. using it, entering the house when others are already seated.
Social anxiety goes beyond shyness. It causes a decline in an individual’s daily functioning, to the extent that it threatens the characteristics biologically inscribed in the genome. In some cases, people suffering from social anxiety become so dysfunctional that they cut off all connections with the outside world and become isolated.
social class theory
For Gilbert and Trower, social anxiety has an explanation. They argued that it was biologically preprogrammed and had a biological translation in the activation of brain systems as primitive as the evaluation/response system. developed these systems thousands of years ago to deal with threats within reference groups. that’s right, We are the product of our own evolution. This is reflected in the different “layers” in which the brain is organized. :
- We reptile brain It plays a fundamental role in competitive behavior such as territorial acquisition and defense. In other words, we appear threatening when we see something that seeks to harm us.
- As a species, we later developed paleomammal brains. This is the limbic system, which gave us the ability to experience and communicate emotions to our environment. It is thanks to the limbic system that we feel fear and pleasure.
- Finally, we developed a new mammalian brain. It was the step that set us apart from all other creatures around us. Thanks to this evolutionary technology, we became the dominant species on Earth. It allowed us to give meaning to what happened to us for the first time.
To explain social anxiety, Gilbert used the above to postulate two good systems: defense and security.
Submission: When the defense system activates
As a species, we live in herds. Moreover, as a result of our collective life, we have developed hierarchies that structure and unite the groups in which we live. I’m here. Researcher Michael Chance called this the agonist mode.
“Agonist mode is a method of functioning that allows subordinate members of a group to recognize and anticipate threats (e.g., expressions of anger or rejection by dominant members) and respond immediately by exhibiting signs of submission. thus increasing the chances of survival.
-Belock-
According to social status theory, We are genetically programmed to fear faces that express criticism or rejection.In fact, we’re not the only ones, as our primate relatives interpret eye contact as threatening.
Much of this type of anxiety is mediated by intra-group dynamics. People with social anxiety disorder are hijacked by the evolutionarily oldest part of the brain, the paleomammal brain. They feel an inordinate amount of fear and automatically activate their defense systems.
Cooperation: Pleasure Mode
Pleasure mode motivated us to cooperate without the need to activate submissive behavior. This is what we do when we work together to achieve our goals. That was when we were hunting. That’s also what happens when scientists among us protect us all from new viruses.
There are also signs in pleasure mode that imply calmness, security, and tranquility rather than threats.Greetings, kisses, hugs, and other cooperative human behaviors. The pleasure mode is even more pronounced when it comes to polite behavior (hello, goodbye, or apology).
“Pleasure mode is an evolutionary achievement that allows members of the same species to cooperate in close proximity to one another without triggering distressing behaviors.”
-Belock-
Pleasure mode changed everything. Group members have become a source of security rather than a threat threat.In this regard, individuals I am suffering from social anxiety. They have trouble identifying and recognizing safety cues. In fact, social unrest is the result of the presence of danger and lack of security.
Thus, according to Gilbert’s Social Class Theory, people with social anxiety disorder tend to use a hostile mindset. experience difficulties.
