We rushed to the hairdressers to feel refreshed

Asst. Prof. Ersoy, who has many researches in the field of social psychology, pointed out that due to the coronavirus, people were going through a process that has never been experienced until today, and it has also affected the behavior of people. Asst. Prof. Ersoy said, “According to the reactance theory, people, whose choice area is restricted, cannot sit idle by this situation. They may tend to get rid of this situation by performing the restricted behavior. In a sense, restricted behavior becomes attractive to them. It was routine to go to a hairdresser or barber at normal time. Being suddenly deprived of a routine action can make many people find the barber and hairdresser psychologically attractive. Even if they don't need it, they can develop a reaction because of previous restricted feeling, and go to these places.”

 

“WE FEEL RELAXED”

 

Asst. Prof. Ersoy stated the following: “We control our behavior by not going out as much as possible due to coronavirus. We live a life we ​​are not used to. Many people have been sharing the same house with their family members for a long time. There are those who must maintain their home and work life together with childcare. We know from social psychology research that; when we must control ourselves in one area of ​​life, we try to relax in another area, and regain the energy we lost. For example, how a muscle we use frequently gets tired, we get tired psychologically when we act very controlled. Therefore, we can look for areas where we can relax and regain our lost energy. The fact that people who have been very controlled for a long time turning to hairdressers when the ban is over can be explained by the need to eliminate this psychological fatigue.”

 

“WE ARE AFFECTED BY OTHERS’ BEHAVIOURS”

 

Stating that man is a social entity and can be under the influence of others, Asst. Prof. Ersoy said, “Knowing how others behave can affect people's behaviors positively or negatively. In social psychology, there are two types of norms, which are called 'injunctive' and 'descriptive'. Injunctive norms refer to correct behavior, that is, what society says one should do in the situation such as ‘Throwing garbage on the ground is wrong.’ Descriptive norms refer to how others behave in an environment. ‘90 percent of the people living here don't throw garbage on the ground,’ is an example to this. Researches show that when injunctive and descriptive norms are combined, positive behaviors can be acquired. At this point, people can learn from experts that it is necessary to stay at home, that is, what is right. When they see the people, who stay at home during the coronavirus period and take the necessary precautions, the behavior that they should have can be formed or reinforced. In other words, they can stay in a controlled life. Otherwise, they may have complacency, behave completely different compared to a few days ago. What is offered to people by the press or other media will also be decisive in their future behavior.”