How groups can influence people Essay Example for Free

How groups can influence people Essay In this essay, I am going to describe how groups can influence people in a positive and in a negative ways. I will be using evidence drawn from Chapter 5 of the study text ‘’Starting with psychology’’ Spoors et al (2011). It is in a human nature to be a part of a social group. Belonging to a group, such as family, clubs, sport teams or group of friends, give us support, it make us feel good about ourselves, give us a sense of social identity. It brings meaning to our life, it make us feel like we belong. However, being a part of a group can also have a negative effect. Group pressure can cause us to behave in a way that we will not normally do. To support my argument I will use as an example evidence from Kondo’s story and as well Zimbardo and Asch experiments (Spoors et al 2011). In our lifetime, we belong to many different social groups. Our social identity is based on the group we belong to, we enhance the status of our group in order to increase our self-image. We divide the world into people like ‘us’, who belong to our group, called the in-group, and those one who are different ‘them’, the out-group (Spoors et al 2011). Two psychologists Henri Tajfel and John Turner developed that theory. The theory argues that there are three mental processes involved in evaluating others as ‘them’ and us’ the first one is a social categorisation. We categorize other people and ourselves in order to understand and identify them. The second process is a social identification. When we know which group we belong to, we start behaving by the norms of our group. The last process is social comparison. After we categorize ourselves with a group, we start to compare our group with other groups. To maintain our self-esteem we will compare our group favourably with other groups. An experiment carried out by Philip Zimbardo and his colleagues (1971) Spoors et al (2011) provides evidence how people behaviour can change w hen they become a part of a group. They choose randomly a group of male participants and divide them into ‘guards’ and ‘prisoners’ and then located them in a simulated prison. After six days, the experiment had to be stopped, as the ‘guards’ became brutal and abusive towards ‘prisoners’, and the ‘prisoners’ begun suffering from emotional disturbance. This experiment shows how the previous perceptions that the participants have of the role of a prison  guards and prisoners, that probably came from watching films and television programs, influenced them to behave in a negative way. Another example of how groups can influence our behaviour is experiment carried out by Solomon Asch (Spoors et al 2011). He asked fifty participants to look at the picture of a straight line, and then showed them another picture with a three more lines of different lengths. Then he asked the participants to identify out loud the line that is the same length as the original one . Surprisingly 75 per cent of the group give a wrong answer, which was a result of a group pressure. People have the need for conformity that is why they go along with the norms of the groups. They want to be accepted as an in-group person. Conforming to group norms is sending a message to the other members of the group that I am not a thread, I am same like you, and I am following our rules. Asche’s experiment showed that the need for conformity pressured participants to give a wrong answer to a question; they just simply followed the rest of the group. An example of how group can influence us on a positive way is Kondo’s story in Spoors et al (2011). Dorinne Kondo is a Japanese American, raised in the USA. She went to Japan to do an anthropological research. She stays there for 26 months, a few months she stays with a Japanese family to learn how proper Japanese women supposed to behave and present herself. At the same time, she was acting as a scientific observer. That is a method of research called participant-observation, where the researcher is both an observer and a participant (Spoors et al 2011). The first few months in Japan were very stressful for Knodo; she did not understand the etiquette and traditions that are part of their everyday life. Every time she made a mistake, people trait her like she was retarded or insane. They were confused, as she looked like a Japanese women but she did not act in a Japanese manner. During her visit in Japan, her guarantor introduced her to Mrs Sakamoto who invited her to stay with her family for summer. It was a great opportunity for Kondo to learn about the traditions. During her visit she was trying to conform to their way of life, she wanted to feel their acceptance, so she start learning about her Japanese roots and proper etiquette, she took a part in a tea ceremony class. At the end of her visit in Japan, she was pleased with herself and all she have learned during her visit. She did not struggle any more to fit in both cultures, the approval of Sakamoto’s family had a good influence on her, it makes her feel  like she belong to their world. Kondo’s story demonstrates that in our lifetime ‘’we have multiple social identities, which continue to evolve as we grow older or when we move into new situations’’ Spoors et al (2011). In those few examples, I was exploring how groups can influence people in a positive and negative ways. Positively, by providing us a sense of belonging to the social world and bringing meaning to our life, as shown on an example of Kondo’s story, and negatively by pressuring us to conform and act out of character, what confirm an Zimbardo’s and Asche’s experiments.

Epic of Beowulf Essay - Traits of The Anglo-Saxon Hero :: Epic Beowulf herobeo

Beowulf - Traits of The Anglo-Saxon Hero    Within the tale of â€Å"Beowulf† four character traits can be found which define the Anglo Saxon Hero. The first is loyalty, as demonstrated by the relationship between Lord and thane. According to page 23 of the â€Å"Beowulf† introduction, â€Å"a relationship based less on subordination of one man’s will to another than on mutual trust and respect.† The second and third characteristics are strength and courage. The importance of these specific traits to the Anglo-Saxon people is clearly presented during the reciting of Sigemund’s tale within Heorot. As the song states, â€Å"He was adventurer most famous, far and wide through the nations, for deed of courage – he had prospered from that before, the protector of warriors – after the war-making of Heremod had come to an end, his strength and his courage† (38). The final piece which comprises the Anglo-Saxon hero is the notion of fame. The only after life a warrior could ever a spire to have was immortality through fame. One again this is explained by the introduction to the story, â€Å"Beowulf’s chief reward is pagan immortality the memory in the minds of later generations of a hero’s heroic actions† (24-25). By understanding what defines a hero it is a simple matter to comprehend why Beowulf is considered by some to be the greatest of all. He posses unfaltering loyalty to his king and allies, and save for his final battle his thanes show the same devotion to him. His strength is unparalleled, as he is able to defeat each of his opponents and perform feats of unmatched endurance. Beowulf’s courage, though motivated primarily by his own notion of fate, is, none the less, unwavering. And as a hero he achieved his desire for immortality through the poem itself. Each of the four heroic traits can be identified within the three battles in which Beowulf participates: His battle with Grendel, his undersea struggle with the Grendelâ⠂¬â„¢s Mother, and his final fight with the dragon. Before going off to do battle with Grendel, Beowulf gives a speech that may appear conceited to the modern reader, but is in actuality a simple device used to insure his immortality through fame. Beowulf states, â€Å"I claim myself no poorer in war strength, war works, than Grendel claims himself. Therefor I will not put him to sleep with a sword†¦ and then may wise God, Holy Lord, assign glory on whichever hand seems good to him† (35-36).

Beowulf – Anglo Saxon Culture

Beowulf’s Strength and Fearlessness Anglo-Saxon poetry reflects their culture and life. Poetry is a wide part of their lives, and many of them passed to the descendants through the word of mouth. From many poetry told, â€Å"Beowulf† would be a first class example of the Anglo-Saxon lives. â€Å"Beowulf† is a poem about a brave hero who hears tales of a fearsome beast that tore a kingdom apart. Beowulf, the main character, as a brave warrior, fights the beasts and saves the kingdom. Beowulf is fearless and strong.These characteristics show the values of the Anglo-Saxon culture. Beowulf was â€Å"the strongest of the Geats† and â€Å"greater and stronger than anyone anywhere is this world† (lines 110-111). This proves that Beowulf was stronger than any Anglo-Saxon men. Beowulf also realizes himself that he is strong too. He says, â€Å"He could never leave me behind, swim faster / Across the waves than I could†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (274-275). He says this t o prove that he is strongest of all men, and that no one could beat him in anything.The significances in Beowulf’s outstanding physical abilities reveal the value of strength in the Anglo-Saxon culture. Among the Danes and Geats, Beowulf is praised as the epic hero because he defeats the vile monsters, Grendel and his mom. Grendel and Beowulf would be total opposites of each other. Grendel is the demon who â€Å"snatched up thirty men, smashed them / Unknowing in their beds, and ran out with their bodies† (37-38). The people of Herot despised Grendel for his slaughtering. When Beowulf kills Grendel, Herot gains freedom from the demon.That basically makes Herot love Beowulf for his good deed. Beowulf â€Å"struck with all the strength he had left, / Caught her in the neck and cut it through, / Broke bones and all. † (641-643) and â€Å"then struck off / His head with a single blow. † (663-665). The slaughter of Grendel and his mother saved Herot from its c ontinuing of sorrowful deaths. Again, Beowulf’s value of incredible strength reveals the Anglo-Saxon culture. Beowulf was fearless to all of his enemies and never lost a battle. He never forfeited any of them, and won victory every time fair and square.When Beowulf first arrives in Herot, he is asked to leave all his weapons. Beowulf says, â€Å"My lord Higlac / Might think less of me if I let my sword / Go where my feet were afraid to, if I hid / Behind some broad linden shield: My hands / Alone shall fight for me, struggle for life / Against the monster. † (170-175) Beowulf doesn’t want to look like a weak hero by taking all of his weapons, so he leaves his spears and battle-shields behind. He doesn’t want his king to think less of himself.Beowulf emphasizes his fearlessness by leaving all of his weapons behind. The standout of Beowulf’s fearlessness shows an Anglo-Saxon characteristic. Beowulf also shows his fearlessness during the celebration a fter Grendel retreats with his arm cut off. Beowulf says, â€Å"When we crossed the sea, my comrades / And I, I already knew that all / My purpose was this: to win the good will / Of your people or die in battle, pressed / In Grendel’s fierce grip. Let me live in greatness / And courage, or here in this hall welcome / My death! (364-369) Beowulf says that he would rather die in Grendel’s hand if he could not defeat him. He does not fear to give up his life in a battle if he can’t win. This demonstrates that Beowulf is not fearful at all, even in front of death. Beowulf’s actions toward death show fearlessness, an Anglo-Saxon characteristic. From the poem â€Å"Beowulf†, the main character, Beowulf shows strength and fearlessness, the characteristics of the Anglo-Saxon culture when he first arrives to Herot and when he defeats Grendel and his mother.

The Denver Center For Performing Arts - 1255 Words

The production A Christmas Carol was performed at the Denver Center for Performing Arts located in Denver, Colorado. I had the pleasure to attend the show on December 14th in the Stage Theater and I was captivated. This show captured the essence of a theatrical production. To avoid false impressions, the production I saw was performed in 2013. This is a foretaste for those thinking about attending the future performance in 2016; especially those who desire the theater experience. The Denver Center for Performing Arts has an exceptional reputation. The theater complex is coined the second largest performing arts center compared to Broadway. Their qualitative productions can attest to this and A Christmas Carol is no exception. A Christmas Carol was originally a novel written by Charles Dickens and has been adapted into numerous renditions. The Denver Center for Performing Arts has audiences experience the story in a different way, through the art of theater. Director Bruce K. Sevy, playwright adaptor Richard Hellesen and composer David de Berry captured the nature of the classic story and made it into a family friendly production perfect for the holiday season. Having knowledge and involvement in both the acting and the technical aspects of theater, I expected the production to deliver a qualitative performance that gave its audience the full experience. This experience is achieved by the elements of theater such as acting, lights, sounds, props, costume and set designShow MoreRelatedMod Assistants : A Service Company1503 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction A. Description of the business MOD Assistants is a service company who is headquartered in downtown Denver and whose clients are in the Denver Metro area. Currently, Denver is the only location for the business, but they are planning on franchising and spreading to other cities in the U.S. MOD Assistants was founded in 2009 by Brenda Parker, the original owner. 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