What are social phenomena?

Social phenomena are any external influences on living organisms. These influences include behavioral influences, historical influences and developmental influences. They have been observed in humans and animals.

Social phenomena change the way an organism behaves. Due to external influences an organism, including humans, may change or adapt their behaviors. Over time these changed behaviors can become permanent and become a part of the organism's life and their DNA. This theory of social phenomena was determined by John Fordyce Markey from the University of Minnesota. His theory helps describe the behavior of all forms of living organisms from humans to animals and microorganisms.