Social behavior is defined as conduct between two or more creatures of the same type, and it includes any activity in which one component influences the other. This is because those members interact with one another. Consequently, social behavior emerges as a result of a two-way engagement between the organism and its external environment. Communication is an important part of social activity since it is the basis for reproductive success. Social conduct is characterized by two distinct techniques that can either cooperate or compete with one another. The dual-systems paradigm of reflective and impulsive causes of social conduct evolved from the recognition that behavior cannot be influenced solely by one element. Rather, the conduct might originate from individuals who are deliberately behaving or from pure impulse. These elements that influence behavior can function in various scenarios and conditions, and they can even contradict one another. While some people act with a definite aim in mind, others act without logical control and are propelled by instinct. This work was written to compare social behavior in The Pillow Book with actual behavior in our time.
The Pillow Book is similar to a journal in that Sei Shonagon informs people about her everyday life, rumors about her acquaintances, and remarks on clothing and the weather. It is regarded as a classic of Japanese literature and gives a view of imperial civilization in all its wealth, privilege, and poetry. The narrative was intended to be kept confidential but began to spread among court attendants after she unintentionally put it out on a cushion one day at about 990s.
With extensive accounts of her sartorial surroundings, Sei Shonagon, Empress Sadako’s lady-in-waiting from 993 to 1000, emphasizes the importance of attire in medieval Japan. Because it appealed to their creative sensibilities, the arrangement of colors in clothes offered a high standard by which individuals were appraised. Instances recounted by Shonagon in The Pillow Book relate to the importance of clothes in everyday life (Shonagon, 1967). She tells how the ladies-in-waiting attract the attention of potential suitors by revealing just the colorful layers of their arms (Shonagon, 1967). Shonagon goes on to explain to her readers how his layers of exposed under-robe show a counselor’s level and how men beyond the fourth rank were distinguished since they were the only ones who wore black coats. This description suggests that all people were judged only by external signs in ancient Japan, which does not always correspond to the truth.
Today, human society has gone quite far from ancient Japan in terms of social behavior. People try to dress simpler, because not expensive clothes for necessity, but more often than not they wear this to emphasize their status or to important meetings. While in ancient times, clothes were decisive for almost everything, because not everyone could afford expensive clothes, as now, most people tried to ensure that they had the most expensive clothes. However, now the key moment is the inner world of a person, his development, and worldview. People are attracted to smart people who will help them develop as well. They understand that finances will come wisely, which at that time will be directed in the right direction, for example, in starting a business.
The main difference between the social behavior of that time and ours is the system of values. At that time, people were judged by external signs; then, it was easier because not all people had a certain rank, which immediately determined them into a narrow caste. Today, everything has changed; the system of human values has come to spiritual values such as intelligence and sanity. Of course, people still like to dress nicely, but this most often does not reflect their financial situation in any way. Sooner or later, society would come to today’s norms because bright things will not be able to lead states, and bright minds will be able to lead the people and make their life better.
To summarize, social behavior is defined as the behavior of two or more organisms of the same species, and it encompasses any action in which one component impacts the other. The Pillow Book is akin to a notebook in that Sei Shonagon tells people about her daily life, gossip about her friends, and observations on dress and weather. It is considered a masterpiece of Japanese literature and provides insight into the imperial culture in all its richness, luxury, and poetry. In The Pillow Book, Shonagon recounts instances relating to the value of clothing in everyday life (Shonagon, 1967). The fundamental distinction between that era’s social conduct and ours is the value system. People are drawn to clever people who can assist them improve. People were assessed by external signals during the time; it was simpler because not everyone had a definite status that automatically assigned them to a limited caste. Everything has evolved now; the concept of human values has evolved to include spiritual qualities such as intellect and rationality.
Work Cited
Shonagon, Sei, and Arthur Waley. The pillow book of Sei Shonagon. London: Penguin, 1967.