Research Paper: DEATH

Death Research 12/16/14

Cristal Esqueda
California State University of Chico

Research Paper: DEATH

When it comes to the mind set of young kids and adults, family, society and religion
influences are similar when it comes to death. Death is described as the permanent end of
something that is not alive. Knowing what death is, not the definition but what happens once you
die, its influenced by a belief, since there is no proof. Influences takes part in peoples lives,
especially in kids, since we havent been alive for so long. We examine social influences from
the perspective of social impact (SIT; Latane 1981), meaning that we learn from others.
When you are born, you are known for the less knowledge. Everything was a learning
experience, from you figuring out the signals for what you wanted to your first baby steps to
your first time riding a bike without training wheels. You were most likely taught by a family
member or your parents. One girl (12-year-old) responded that she knew what would happen if
she smoked, ... if you smoke you will get cancer and die Yeah thats true, but she also said
mum and dad have also told us about it; so I dont smoke.(Ochieng, 2014) Even though this
is a positive action that the girl does, she is influenced by her parents. Knowing what your
parents actions are, they dont smoke, you see a fear if you pass a boundary or the line with them
if you were to smoke. Family influences are taught at an early age.
How you see children react is traced back to the parents. So, in todays society, everyone
worries of others thoughts and religion isnt as great of an influence then it was before. A study
that Milgram performed, found that normal individuals are more susceptible to the influence of
others when depleted (Welsh, 2014). We fall for others beliefs when we are at our lowest.
Seeing everyone else, we dont want to be the odd ones out. Having to see how kids listen to
their parents because the parents are influenced by society on how they are judged upon their
children. (Welsh, 2014). How kids react just shows how much the parents spends time with their
kid or even how the parent takes control of the relationship. Knowing that you have a crazy one

Research Paper: DEATH

on the loose, parents fear how the child will act in public. And it narrows down when the parent
wants to discipline but fears of doing it in public.
There are many different types of religions, but the one that is mostly practiced is
Catholicism. The Catholics generally believe that illness was largely a consequence of unhealthy
behaviors. (Leyva, Allen, Ospino, Torres, & Abraido). Religious beliefs can keep science out of
the loop when it comes to illnesses. Even though proven that illnesses are genetically (Leyva,
Allen, Ospino, Torres, & Abraido). Also a belief that they strive for is that ill-ness could be
prevented by living una vida sana (a healthy lifestyle). (Leyva, Allen, Ospino, Torres, &
Abraido). When it comes to religious beliefs, parents have their way of having their kids in line.
Parents use advice from the teachings of religious books when discouraging behaviors.
(Ochieng) Some behaviors that were included were actions like smoking drinking alcohol,
consuming illegal drugs and sexual relationships with someone. Going back how the relation of
the girl (12-year-old), on how parents influence her decisions.
Death to children, comes about from their parents and how they view it. Children are
taught at an early age to listen and obey the rules. And parents, they were once kids and picked
up from their parents, which has a cycle going back in time when religion was a major practice.
There are so many different types of religions and most of us view death differently, from
afterlife to reincarnation. Its all a belief system that we strive for. Death has a negative tone to it,
so when you hear afterlife or reincarnation, it gives you hope or you even look forward to it.
Almost saying that there is something for you on the other side religiously or not.

Research Paper: DEATH

References

Latane, Bibb (1981), The Psychology of Social Impact, American Psychologist, 36 (4),
343-56.
Leyva, B., Allen, J., Tom, L., Ospino, H., Torres, M., & Abraido-Lanza, A. (2014).
Religion, Fatalism, and Cancer Control: A Qualitative Study among Hispanic Catholics.
American Journal of Health Behavior, 839-849.
Ochieng, M. N. B., (2014). Minority ethnic adolescents wellbeing. Child Rearing
Practices and Positive Family Influences, 73(3), 324-331. Retrieved from hej.sagepub.com
Welsh, T. D., Christian, S. M., Ellis, P. J. A., & Mai, M. K. (2014). The Role of Caffeine
and Social Influences. Sleep Deprivation and Deceptive Behavior, 99(6). Retrieved from
American Psychological Association.