Drivers of Social Interaction

By  A. Zamroni 

Sumber: Koleksi Zamroni

Why do social interactions occur? What are the factors driving social interaction? The most basic factor that seems to cause social interaction in human life is none other than human nature or nature as a social being. This trait brings humans to group life and build relationships with others to maintain their existence. In other words, consciously or unconsciously, intentionally or unintentionally, and like it or not, humans will be compelled to interact for the sake of survival and existence.

Still related to the nature of social factors is that humans are compelled to interact because they have a lot of needs. Human needs, especially basic needs –– food and drink, clothing, and shelter – must be met in an effort to sustain life. However, can a human being meet his needs without cooperating with other humans? Of course it is not possible, so humans must interact: make contact, communicate and cooperate with each other.

Other factors driving social interaction are imitation, suggestion, identification, and sympathy. These four factors can appear either separately (separately) or in combination and in combination in encouraging interaction. Then, what is called imitation, suggestion, identification, and sympathy? In the following, you are invited to study these four factors.

A. Imitation

Imitation is the act / action of imitating someone's attitude, behavior or appearance. The things that are examined include how to speak, style of dress, style of hairdressing, food consumption patterns, and so on. Imitation occurs when there is interest or interest in a particular object. In other words, a person imitates the attitudes, behavior, or appearance of others because he feels attracted, fascinated, or enchanted by the person he imitates. In many cases among adolescents and young people, the imitation of the behavior or lifestyle of certain artists, for example, occurs because of an element of idolatry that sometimes does not make sense.

Imitation has positive implications or impacts if what is imitated is a good and conducive attitude, behavior, or lifestyle according to the norms, morals, ethics, or regulations prevailing in society. For example, the lifestyle of a famous preacher who daily supports the weak and needy is imitated by students. On the other hand, imitation has negative implications or effects if the attitudes, behavior, or appearance being imitated are against the rules or values ​​held by society. For example, the behavior of an artist who likes to consume narcotics and lives full of fun is imitated by young people without considering the pros and cons.

Meanwhile, in general, imitation is often perceived as an action that does not reflect independence and a lack of self-stability and creativity. People who like to imitate, which is generally done by teenagers, are often considered less independent and have an unstable personality. People who like to imitate also show that they do not have creativity and a spirit of innovation.

B. Suggestions

Suggestions are views or attitudes received by a person or group of people due to certain influences. Acceptance of these views and attitudes sometimes occurs due to emotional instability (feelings) that hinder or make it difficult for someone to think rationally. This view or attitude can be accepted by a person or group of people because they come from charismatic people (have great authority), from authoritarian leaders and dictators, or from the majority.

C. Identification

Identification is a person's tendency or desire to be the same as other people. Other people who want to be likened to himself are usually people he admires. Identification often occurs in a period of growth and development so that identification can shape a person's personality. In a period of growth and development, people often need the ideal type whose behavior needs to be imagined and imitated before their personality is established.

Although similar to imitation, identification is more profound because identification is more pervasive and influences and shapes a person's personality. The identification process can take place by itself (unconsciously) or intentionally in the life process. Identification takes place in a situation where a person knows another party whom he idealizes so that the views, attitudes, or rules that exist in the other party can institutionalize or even inspire him. According to Soerjono Soekanto (2005: 64), identification results in deeper influences than the process of imitation and suggestion, although it is possible that identification initially started with imitation and suggestion.

D. Sympathy

Sympathy is a person's feeling of being attracted to another party. Attraction here refers to the desire to understand (feelings and thoughts) and cooperate. However, in sympathy, feelings play a very important role.

That is the main difference between sympathy and identification. If identification is motivated by a desire to learn from others who are in a higher position and must be respected because they have certain exemplary advantages, then sympathy is driven by a desire to understand and cooperate. Sympathy can develop in a state of mutual understanding and understanding is well guaranteed.

Thus the four things above - imitation, suggestion, identification, and sympathy - become the minimal factors that underlie social interaction. These four factors in reality (social interaction) are complex processes so that it is difficult to distinguish clearly. It can be said that imitation and suggestion occur faster, but the effect is less profound than the identification and sympathy, which is a relatively slow process (Soekanto, 2005: 64).