Cesar Velez - 2/4/2020 PD5

Aim: By synthesizing diction, tone, and characterization, how is “group polarization” and Stoner’s “Risky Shift” demonstrated in the jury room?

January 4th, 2020

Cesar Velez

Period 5 Sophomore English

Today we started the class by taking anonymous polls on polleverywhere.com about if we wanted to change teachers every semester. But then the second question was more interesting. The question asked if we wanted to switch out Ms. Fusaro for another teacher. After the poll was finished, with a unanimous vote for no, she explained to us that she was trying to let us see the idea of mob mentality. How if someone was to vote yes, then she would ask them who voted and why. When she told us this we all basically broke into chatter about how this would be uncomfortable. This showed us the power of anonymity and mob mentality. Especially in the context of the twelve jurors in 12 Angry Men. 

 After talking a little more about social situations, we watched a clip from brain games about conformity. A woman was in a waiting room with some other people that were undercover actors. Everything seemed normal except every time the speakers would play a certain noise, everyone would stand up. The woman was never told anything about what they were doing or why, but after a few times, she also began to stand up every time the sound was played. Then when everyone left she still stood every time the sound played. What was even more interesting, was that when more people came in, she kept standing and they began to stand up too. After we discussed the clip we then proceeded to read and finish 12 Angry Men. I played Juror #12 who is described as a self-centered, egotistical man who works in advertising. Spoiler Alert: we left off as the group had just acted out the murder and timed it. After that, almost everyone who voted not guilty had changed their minds. Eleven and Eight try to explain to them that because of all the circumstances and what they acted out, there is obviously some reasonable doubt. Afterward, eight asks how it was possible that the stabbing could have been done as described because an experienced knife fighter would not have done it overhand. While few people seem to grip this, eight goes on explaining how to make him guilty would be to contradict everything they are saying. It would be to make him smart one second and make him dumb the next. After h finishes this speech, almost everyone votes not guilty. The only one left is juror #3 who after realizing that he is the only one to stand as guilty, caves and votes not-guilty.

What we Learned?

Throughout the lesson, we kept going back to the theme of social conformity. We explained that it is easier for a group to shift instead of an individual, and it's easier for a group to make a risky decision than an individual. We learned the power of the group and of mob mentality. The idea that it is easier to conform and "fit in" than to stand out. 

Why did we learn it?

The idea that once a group decides to make a shift or do anything, they can basically control what does is powerful. We learned this so that we could understand the different aspects of mob mentality and when to recognize it. But not only that but we can harness these ideas for the betterment of humanity. We alone might not be able to change the world, but together we can each change ourselves and together we can make a difference. 

How will I use what I learned?

These ideals can have many different implications. For example, we can use this mob mentality to provoke change because if every person decides to change one little thing, that can all add up and create real change. Furthermore, now that we know this we can also prevent others and ourselves to become susceptible to wrong or unjust causes just because a majority are part of it.