-- Posted by noraa at 10:53 am on Oct. 1, 2008 What makes humans care about friendship and popularity? Is it simply a need to mate? Or is it something more? Discuss. -- Posted by Chiefette at 10:56 am on Oct. 1, 2008 It's in our DNA.  It's an animal instinct.  Some people can ignore it, but it's encoded in us. -- Posted by Black American Dude at 11:04 am on Oct. 1, 2008 Its that need of feeling needed. Like that need for food. -- Posted by i r sekz at 11:11 am on Oct. 1, 2008 Humans are social creatures.  And popularity is more of a desire to be the best, the alpha if you will. -- Posted by Anonymous at 1:01 pm on Oct. 1, 2008 Quote: from i r sekz at 7:11 pm on Oct. 1, 2008 Humans are social creatures. And popularity is more of a desire to be the best, the alpha if you will. Yes, to ignore the desire for social greatness can result in...eh...social "rejection". I mean, humans are extremely social creatures, and it is encoded into our brains, to make a big attempt to gain excellence in society. I suppose meaning to mate would play a key role, males apperaing testosterone fueled, being "alpha" females appearing as extreme figures of beauty. Lets pretend this is a school situation. You've got the popular, loud football jock. Everyone respects him, cause they know that if they don't, they won't be accepted. Like I said, we're programed to respect the more higher social person. Its the exact same in the animal kingdom, if you think of it. The Gorillas, the Alpha male rules all, and noone messes with him, til its time to get a new one. Just like humans, We have presidents, and don't mess with them til a re-ellection. To do so, would make you an "outcast", just like the Gorillas, where when an alpha male is attacked, and wins, the challenger is cast out of the group. Humans are like Gorillas, and if you look at how they act, you'll find we act the same -- Posted by noraa at 2:45 pm on Oct. 1, 2008 Quote: from Anonymous at 1:01 pm on Oct. 1, 2008 Quote: from i r sekz at 7:11 pm on Oct. 1, 2008 Humans are social creatures.  And popularity is more of a desire to be the best, the alpha if you will. Yes, to ignore the desire for social greatness can result in...eh...social "rejection". I mean, humans are extremely social creatures, and it is encoded into our brains, to make a big attempt to gain excellence in society. I suppose meaning to mate would play a key role, males apperaing testosterone fueled, being "alpha" females appearing as extreme figures of beauty. Lets pretend this is a school situation. You've got the popular, loud football jock. Everyone respects him, cause they know that if they don't, they won't be accepted. Like I said, we're programed to respect the more higher social person.   Its the exact same in the animal kingdom, if you think of it. The Gorillas, the Alpha male rules all, and noone messes with him, til its time to get a new one. Just like humans, We have presidents, and don't mess with them til a re-ellection.   To do so, would make you an "outcast", just like the Gorillas, where when an alpha male is attacked, and wins, the challenger is cast out of the group. Humans are like Gorillas, and if you look at how they act, you'll find we act the same But, I mean, what gives you that instinct? Why would we have it if it didn't have a purpose? If you think about it, it's all about mating. People generally get the the instincts they have to do things because it will help them reproduce. Animals too. Instincts are nothing more then how to survive. -- Posted by nikki at 2:18 pm on Oct. 2, 2008 Compassion. And familiarity - we sympathise with the people we are similar to. -- Posted by the seer at 9:46 pm on Oct. 17, 2008 that would depend if you are looking at it from a scientific point of view or not. it's true that all human emotions and actions are dictated by instinct and chemical imbalances in the brain. but to think that love and friendship is nothing beyond these things is a little bit depressing don't you think.