It is well established that social relationships are important for human health and wellbeing. For example, studies have shown that social support can protect against the negative health effects of stress, while social isolation is associated with poorer mental and physical health outcomes.
But what is less clear is how social relationships actually affect human behavior. Some research suggests that social relationships may influence our behavior indirectly, by affecting our mood or emotions. For instance, people who feel socially supported are less likely to experience anxiety or depression, which in turn may lead them to behave in more positive ways.
Other research suggests that social relationships may directly affect our behavior, independent of any impact on our mood or emotions. For example, one study found that married men were more likely than single men to engage in healthy behaviors such as exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet.
So it seems that social relationships can influence our behavior in both indirect and direct ways. Either way, it’s clear that maintaining strong social connections is important for promoting positive human behavior.