Final answer:
Someone who is more socially desirable often expects positive acknowledgment and may conform to social norms to maintain their status. Social expectations evolve with life stages, and these roles are influenced by cultural socialization. Social desirability bias affects how individuals present themselves, especially in surveys and interviews, to avoid being viewed negatively.
Step-by-step explanation:
Individuals who are perceived as more socially desirable often expect to receive greater acknowledgment and positive reinforcement for their behaviors. They may favor adhering to certain social norms and expectations to maintain or enhance their social status. In many cases, such individuals enjoy being noticed and may actively seek to conform to group norms to avoid being singled out. Furthermore, the concept of social desirability bias comes into play when individuals present themselves in a way that will be viewed favorably by others, particularly during situations such as answering survey questions or in job interviews.
Social expectations are often clearly defined and enforced within cultural contexts. As individuals progress through different stages of life, such as moving from middle school to high school, the expectations placed upon them by society also evolve. In high school, for instance, the significance of dating and relationships becomes more pronounced, adding to the roles one is expected to fulfill. This continues as individuals graduate and enter into different phases of their life, where new expectations and social roles become prominent.
From a functionalist perspective, each role and occupation within society contributes to the overall efficiency and stability, as posited by the Davis-Moore thesis. Conversely, social exchanges are viewed through a cost-benefit analysis, where the aim is to maximize benefits and minimize costs. This is often considered in the context of entering into romantic relationships, where individuals weigh the companionship and intimacy against potential drawbacks such as boredom or financial expenditure.
Lastly, the concept of a self-fulfilling prophecy is important to understand, as it highlights how individuals may act in a manner that confirms others' expectations, which can stem from stereotypes. Over time, children also learn the generalized other, which pertains to the behavioral expectations of society at large and contributes to the formation of one's 'self'.