UNIT 2.

W e live in a society

1.WE LIVE IN A SOCIETY

Human beings are sociable by nature and need others in order to develop as people, through learning and
communication. Although we are born with some potential abilities, such capacities are only developed in a
social environment. If a human family we would never had not educated us have acquired the human
behavior that characterizes us.

The fact that humans are sociable does not mean that we always get on well. In human relations it is
inevitable that sometimes conflicts arise, be it in the family context, in school, with our friends or with people
we do not know. Conflicts between people are inevitable, but they can be resolved through respect, dialogue
and good will by all parties.

It is often said that bees or ants are social animals. And it is true that these insects have a very complex social
organization, with strong bonds between their members. However, when it comes to sociable animals, the
first place goes to humans. No other living being has need for relationships with their fellows as much as we
do.

But what are the reasons why we are sociable by nature?

We are born defenseless and therefore need the protection of our parents to be able to develop our
personality. We are born immature and need to learn everything from others. This learning occurs by
observation and imitation.
We are born ready to speak and need to communicate with others... others. Language allows us to share our
experiences.

Human beings are sociable by nature and need others in order to be able to develop as persons through
learning and communication.

Although we are born with potential abilities, such as being able to speak , to reason or relate to others, to
speak, to reason or to relate affectively with other people, these abilities only develop in a social
environment. In other words, if a human family had not raised us, we would never have acquired the human
behavior that characterizes us.

1.1.THE CONFLICTS

The fact that humans are social beings does not mean that we always get along with each other. We always
get along well with each other. In human relationships it is inevitable that In human relationships, it is
inevitable that from time to time conflicts will arise, whether in the family, at school, with our friends or
with strangers.
Although we cannot prevent them from arising, you should know that conflicts can be solved through
dialogue, respecting can be solved through dialogue, respecting certain rules and trying to reach reasonable
agreements for everyone (photo a) and not through force (photo b).
(photo b).
Conflicts between people are unavoidable, but they can be solved with respect, dialogue and good will on the
part of the parties involved.
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1.2.RULES FOR RESOLVING CONFLICTS

1.RECOGNITION OF THE CONFLICT.

Do not deny the conflict or try to play it down.
2.DESCRIPTION OF THE CONFLICT.
The two opposing points of view must be shown.
3.ANALYSIS OF THE CAUSES.
Causes of the conflict without looking for culprits.
4.APPROACHING SOLUTIONS.
Exploring all possible solutions.
5.DECISION MAKING.
Choosing the most convenient and feasible for both parties.

2.VALUES FOR COEXISTENCE

In any society, small or large, some norms are required in order for people to coexist with others. This means
that we cannot always do whatever we feel like doing because we might harm others and put at risk the
general well-being.

To live in a society we must learn to respect certain rules and to accept some limitations on our liberty. As
you know, following rules is not always easy or pleasant. Luckily, we have the possibility of improving our
relationships with others by exercising certain capacities that have traditionally been called virtue and that
today we call ethical values.

Virtues are positive habits of behaviour that facilitate coexistence. Their importance is what makes us
consider them ethical values too.

2.1.What values do we need to coexist?

Respect is the main and most fundamental of the virtues, or ethical values. We all have the right to be who
we are and not to be bothered due to the fact that we think or act in accordance with our tastes or interests.

From respect grows tolerance, understood as the virtue of accepting the ideas, tastes and customs of others,
regardless of how different they are from ours. Being tolerant is to be open to the full range of points of view,
to the free exchange of opinions, without trying to impose our own criteria.

Sincerity and honesty are also virtues that are essential to human relations. Without them, no one can trust
anybody else and it would be impossible to establish long-lasting relationships.

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Empathy is another virtue that is decisive for social life. It consists of forcing oneself to understand the
feelings, emotions and needs of others. When we experience empathy, what immediately arises is solidarity,
the value that leads us to share our lives with others and, in particular, with those who most need it.

2. WHAT ARE SOCIAL SKILLS?

Social skills are habits of behaviour that permit us to relate to others in a satisfactory way, thus avoiding
conflicts or helping to resolve them if they emerge. They are capacities that allow us to think and act in a way
that is beneficial for us and for those around us. Social abilities have a lot to do with emotional intelligence
because they require self-knowledge and self-control. Moreover, as with emotional intelligence, they can be
improved through practice.

2.1.THE FOLLOWING ARE SOCIAL SKILLS:

CONSTITUTE SOCIAL SKILLS,

- Knowing how to cooperate: Through cooperation with others, we get to know them and strengthen our trust
in them, we learn to resolve conflicts in a constructive way and accept the participation of others. We also
learn to know and value their different points of view.
- Knowing how to say no: Generally, out of affection or fear, we find it difficult to say no to people close to
us. However, in order to avoid abusive behaviour, we need to convince ourselves that we can say no. We
have to convince ourselves that we want to say no, without thinking that we are selfish or that we are
offending.
- Knowing how to ask for favours: This consists of recognising that we need help and asking for it. help, and
asking for it.
- Knowing how to apologise: Apologising is not about relaxing, but about fixing something we had not done
well, to resume the relationship with a person we had with a person we have upset or offended. - Knowing
how to listen: It consists of respecting the speaker, understanding what he or she is saying, and to what he or
she is saying, and entering into a dialogue or cutting or change the conversation if it does not interest us.
- Knowing how to negotiate in order to reach agreements: This consists of seeking and promoting the
common interests of the opposing parties rather than focusing on the differences.

3. PUTTING YOURSELF IN THE OTHER'S SHOES

¿Has it ever happened to you that you were going through a bad time and, without saying anything, someone
approached you and, without saying anything, someone approached you to take an interest and try to help
you?

If you have experienced such a situation, the person who approached you showed what we call empathy.
what we call empathy.
Empathy is not a strange quality, but a social skill that we all possess to some extent, but which should be
strengthened to improve our interpersonal to improve our interpersonal relationships. Empathy is the ability
to understand and respect the thoughts and feelings of people with whom we have the thoughts and feelings
of the people we relate to.
It is not just about putting ourselves in the other person's shoes, but also about feeling what the other person
feels and showing an interest in understanding them.
Therefore, it goes beyond understanding what the other person is feeling, it also involves responding in an
appropriate way to that other person's feelings.
It also involves responding in a way that is appropriate to that feeling. For example, if someone tells you that
they are sad for some reason, it would not be to smile and say, "I'm glad!
Empathy is a fundamental social skill that enables us to be aware of the feelings and needs of others.

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MORAL REASONING
1. Answer the following questions in the affirmative or negative.
For each answer give a brief justification where you take into account what you have learned about ethical
values.

Should I help a person ...

a) Who does not want to be helped?
b) Who does not ask me to help him/her?
e) Who does not help others?
d) Who does not make an effort for himself/herself?
e) That I don't like her?
f) Who looks bad?
g) Who I don't know?
h) If I don't have time?

3.1. THE IMPORTANCE OF EMPATHY

Empathy is the capacity we have to understand and respect the thoughts and feelings of the people we
encounter. It goes beyond merely understanding what the other person is feeling, but also involves finding an
appropriate response to that feeling.

We can say that someone has empathy if they are capable of:
1. Recognizing their own feelings and emotions.
2. Recognizing the feelings and emotions of others.
3. Listening carefully to others.
4. Understanding how someone feels by observing their gestures and actions.
5. Identifying with others and sharing their emotions.
6. Respecting others in their thoughts and actions.

4. THE IMPORTANCE OF ASSERTIVENESS

In order to improve your interpersonal relations, you must, along with the social skills we have seen
previously, foster your assertiveness. Assertiveness is that personal skill that allows us to be who we are,
without either offending anybody or giving up our rights. An assertive person knows how to express their
feelings, opinions and thoughts in the right way and knows how to defend their own rights without denying
or trampling on the rights of others.

You should try not to mix up assertiveness with aggressiveness or passivity. An assertive person does not put
down or insult others, unlike an aggressive person.

On the other hand, unlike a passive person, an assertive person does not give up what they think is rightly
theirs, or curtail themselves when they have to say what they think or do what they want. Thus assertiveness
is in-between passivity and aggressiveness.

Assertiveness is directly related to ethical values because it is based on respect for oneself and others. An
assertive person is open and tolerant and always treats others with the dignity they deserve. And you must
remember that, as social skills, assertiveness is a capacity that can be improved with the right training.

4.1.ASPECTS OF ASSERTIVENESS
Assertiveness has great benefits for the individual:

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- It improves self-confidence and self-assurance by being able to express what one feels and wants. - It
improves the respect and acceptance of others, as they see you as being able to assert your feelings and
wishes.
Assertiveness should not be confused with aggressiveness or passivity. The assertive person does not
disqualify or disrespect others, as is the case with an aggressive person.
On the other hand, unlike the passive person, the assertive person does not give up what he/she believes is
his/her right in life, nor are they inhibited in saying what they think or doing what they think is right. Thus,
assertiveness is the middle ground between passivity and aggressiveness.
Assertiveness is directly related to ethical values because it is based on respect for oneself and for others.
The assertive person is open and tolerant, and always treats others with the dignity they deserve.

Like social skills, assertiveness is an ability that can be improved with proper training. There are some
techniques to improve assertive behaviour. Depending on the situation, one or the other should be used.
Take a look at the following techniques that can help you to improve your assertiveness.

6.2 TECHNIQUES TO IMPROVE YOUR ASSERTIVENESS

A) The broken record

This consists of repeating your point of view calmly using phrases such as: "Yes, but... "I know, but my
point of view is ... “I understand, but I still think that ... ".
This technique is useful when they insist that you change your mind and you are unwilling to do so.

B) The fog bank

As in the previous case, this technique consists of holding your position firmly. The difference is that in this
case we can say the other person is right, but we do not have to do what they tell us to do.

Let us look at a couple of examples:

a) Someone tells you that the clothes you are wearing do not suit him or her. You reply that maybe you are
right, but that you like it.
b) A friend laughs at you because you do not have a mobile phone with Internet. You tell him that it is true
that a mobile phone with Internet can be very useful, but the one you have is good enough for you.
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