12 Angry Men
Psychology 381- Group Dynamics
12 Angry Men Assignment
In group settings, people will often comply with the opinions of other group members regardless of personal beliefs, and are not likely to voice their true opinion unless someone else does before them. This statement reflects social influence, which is described as interpersonal processes that change members’ thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Social influence plays a huge role in the film that we watched, and explains much of what went on amongst the 12 jury men. This statement also demonstrates conformity, which is the tendency to agree with other people’s decisions, and do what other people do. This can further go into the social identity theory, which states that people are motivated to establish and maintain their self-esteem. In certain situations, people will conform in order to keep themselves from standing out in a negative way. As Asch’s conformity study shows, a single person generally has a small chance of resisting the influence of the majority. However, in 12 Angry Men, the minority was able to transform the majority decision. The initial vote was taken by a show of hands, and displayed obvious conformity. When the men were asked who would be voting guilty, the eleven people who did vote guilty did not shoot up their hands at once. The hands went up slowly, and the men looked around to see what everyone was doing in order to make their decision. It is clear when watching this that not all of the men were absolutely certain on their vote, and left their decision up to the others. Fonda, the one man who voted ‘not guilty,’ remains consistent with his original vote and continues to present facts to the group in hopes of changing their minds. After the group takes additional votes using ballots, more men slowly begin to change their vote. It is apparent that the men are now realizing that they will not be the odd man out if they decide to vote ‘not guilty’, because others are doing it too
12 Angry Men Assignment
In group settings, people will often comply with the opinions of other group members regardless of personal beliefs, and are not likely to voice their true opinion unless someone else does before them. This statement reflects social influence, which is described as interpersonal processes that change members’ thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Social influence plays a huge role in the film that we watched, and explains much of what went on amongst the 12 jury men. This statement also demonstrates conformity, which is the tendency to agree with other people’s decisions, and do what other people do. This can further go into the social identity theory, which states that people are motivated to establish and maintain their self-esteem. In certain situations, people will conform in order to keep themselves from standing out in a negative way. As Asch’s conformity study shows, a single person generally has a small chance of resisting the influence of the majority. However, in 12 Angry Men, the minority was able to transform the majority decision. The initial vote was taken by a show of hands, and displayed obvious conformity. When the men were asked who would be voting guilty, the eleven people who did vote guilty did not shoot up their hands at once. The hands went up slowly, and the men looked around to see what everyone was doing in order to make their decision. It is clear when watching this that not all of the men were absolutely certain on their vote, and left their decision up to the others. Fonda, the one man who voted ‘not guilty,’ remains consistent with his original vote and continues to present facts to the group in hopes of changing their minds. After the group takes additional votes using ballots, more men slowly begin to change their vote. It is apparent that the men are now realizing that they will not be the odd man out if they decide to vote ‘not guilty’, because others are doing it too