The memory-dependent behavior of elastic and ferromagnetic materials is known as hysteresis. Unlike elasticity, which represents a flexible state, hysteresis involves deformation due to excessive force, resulting in warming. It also requires a cooling period before returning to the initial state. Hysteresis-like behavior can be observed in various systems, including neurology, histology, cell biology, genetics, respiratory psychology, economics, game theory, and unemployment. In these instances, the disturbed system only regains its characteristic behavior after a delay. Because the stimulation threshold depends on their emotional history in emotion-forming animals, they can exhibit this behavior.
In emotion-forming animals, the degree of irritation influences behavior. For example, at moderate stress, a dog will exhibit a smooth transition of responses, requiring much larger irritation to move from cowed to angry. At higher stress levels, irritation causes the dog to reach a 'fold' point, suddenly snapping into angry mode. Once in 'angry' mode, it will remain angry even if the direct irritation parameter is considerably reduced. This necessary period for the dog to calm down is analogous to the delayed recovery of heated-up elastic material.
Similarly, adopting attitudes from others can lead to social ferromagnetism. Social groups function as emotional ferromagnets. A shared emotional orientation guides thinking and behavior in most situations. This is why social groups often shop at the same stores, take similar vacations, vote for the same candidates, and hold similar views on many issues. The field shapes individual attitudes in nearly every problem. The collective opinion evolves constantly and gradually over time due to its members' experiences and emotional influences.
This shared orientation, guided by the social field, is exemplified by the formation of opinions. For example, peers' behavior and personal intentions can better predict individual responses to challenges. Because social groups have such a powerful influence on behavior, behavioral modification spreads like an infectious disease within these groups. This phenomenon holds true even among people who do not know one another! The finding was revealed by a social study on happiness, quitting smoking, and discontent but likely extends to many other behaviors and habits (Hill, 2010). A recent study found that social media groups create a social bubble, limiting available information to like-minded individuals and leading to a collective social bias. Indeed, recent surprising social changes in many countries (Brexit, the Arab Spring, or the election of Donald Trump) might stem from such a collective attitude.
Picture credit: Dogs By Peter Wadsworth
The book Emotional Reasoning: Insight into the Conscious Experience was published on August 30, 2024.
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