Final answer:
Abram Kardiner proposed that secondary institutions and expressive behavior help maintain equilibrium by allowing for the discharge of accumulated tension from early experiences. This aligns with allostasis and displacement, as ways to regulate responses and maintain psychological balance. Theories like arousal theory and Simmel's views on conflict support this understanding of maintaining equilibrium.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Abram Kardiner, secondary institutions and similar expressive behavior allow people to maintain relative equilibrium by periodically discharging tension that has been built up due to enduring traces of unhappy early experiences. This concept aligns with the idea that the brain uses stored neural pathways to match current situations with past experiences, promoting physical and emotional responses that are appropriate to those experiences. This mechanism is part of what is known as allostasis, which includes both physiological and behavioral reactions that help an individual anticipate and cope with future needs based on past experiences. The process of displacement also serves to transfer inappropriate urges or behaviors onto more acceptable or less threatening targets, thus maintaining societal norms and the individual's psychological balance.
Furthermore, theories like arousal theory suggest that maintaining an optimal level of arousal is crucial for well-being, with either too much or too little arousal prompting behaviors that seek to restore balance. Conflict, as theorized by Georg Simmel, can also serve a function in creating internal solidarity within groups and can potentially reduce tension and hostility in society. In summary, the discharging of tension through various mechanisms helps individuals handle the stresses of socialization and inner conflict, ultimately contributing to emotional and psychological stability.