Angry Men Page 312: Instructions Read The Setup And

12 Angry Menpage 312 Angry Meninstructions Read The Set Up And List

Read the set up and listen carefully to the professor’s discussion of a few key concepts before the movie starts. Then look over the questions and prepare to write answers to the quiz questions. The case involves an 18-year-old male accused of murdering his father by stabbing him in the chest with a knife. His alibi is that he was not at the scene but at a movie theater. The evidence includes: 1. a knife found in the street near the scene, 2. an old man's testimony that he heard the son say "I'm gonna kill you" and saw the son fleeing the apartment, and 3. a woman's testimony that she saw the son stab his father through a passing train window.

Key terms relevant to understanding group dynamics in the film include deindividuation (loss of personal identity), informational and normative social influence, coalition, conformity, cohesion, group development, social loafing, dissent, and sources of power. These concepts are illustrated through the interactions among jurors as they deliberate the case.

Questions for the Quiz

1. What is juror #7 preoccupied with?
2. What kind of group is a jury (be specific)?
3. Describe an instance of deindividuation and explain how it occurs (be specific).
4. Is there ever a specific instance where social loafing takes place (be specific)?
5. Describe an incident of informational and one of normative social influence (be specific).
6. Applying what you know about group processes and group formation, why should juror #8 be justified in feeling confident that discord would ultimately undermine the "guilty" coalition's cohesiveness?
7. Why was juror #9's vote of not guilty of such significance to the outcome of the jury's deliberation? (Note: it is not the fact that juror #8 said if all 11 voted guilty that he would go along with the group verdict).
8. Describe a specific incident that illustrated the use of expert power by a juror.
9. Compose two lists. The first list should include three factors discussed in class that contributed to group cohesion. The second list should include three factors that undermined cohesion. Briefly describe how these factors influenced cohesion.
10. Pick a character from the film and describe examples of fulfilling or failing to fulfill task, relationship, and self-oriented roles. Which role was the character most resolute in trying to fulfill?

Paper For Above instruction

The film "12 Angry Men" serves as a profound exploration of group dynamics within a jury deliberation setting. This detailed analysis will address key concepts such as deindividuation, social influence, cohesion, and power through the lens of the film’s characters and their interactions.

1. Juror #7 is primarily preoccupied with attending a baseball game scheduled for that evening. His eagerness to conclude the deliberation rapidly reflects a self-centered focus on personal entertainment rather than the case at hand, thus diverting attention from the critical task of justice.

2. A jury constitutes a finite, deliberative group bearing both task-oriented and social functions. It is a decision-making body formed through legal statutes, which relies heavily on group consensus to arrive at a fair verdict based on the evidence and legal standards. The jury functions as a normative influence group, where members conform to social norms of fairness and justice.

3. An instance of deindividuation occurs during the heated deliberations when jurors become less aware of their individual identities and more influenced by the group atmosphere, often leading to impulsive decisions. For example, jurors suppress personal doubts to conform with the dominant opinion, exemplifying deindividuation by losing personal accountability within the group setting.

4. Social loafing is evident when certain jurors, perhaps juror #12, rely heavily on others’ input without actively participating or critically evaluating the evidence. This occurs when individual effort diminishes as group size increases, and some jurors permit others to carry the communicative load.

5. An example of informational social influence is juror #8 presenting reasonable doubt based on logical reasoning, convincing others that the evidence may be flawed. Norman social influence is demonstrated when jurors conform to the majority opinion, even against their initial judgments, driven by a desire for social acceptance or to avoid conflict.

6. Juror #8's confidence stems from his understanding of the group process; he recognizes that persistent dissent introduces doubt, which can erode the "guilty" coalition’s cohesion. His methodical approach fosters critical thinking, making it probable that conflict will lead the majority to reconsider, thus undermining their unanimity and cohesiveness.

7. Juror #9's vote was significant because it provided empathy and credibility as an older, more experienced juror, which encouraged others to re-examine the case. His dissent served as a catalyst for the pivotal shift from unanimity towards doubt, demonstrating that even a single voice can influence group decision-making.

8. Juror #8 exemplifies expert power when he presents logical arguments regarding the unreliable testimony, including the old man's inconsistent account and the woman's vision through a passing train. His use of reasoning persuades others, showing how knowledge and logical judgment can wield influence within a group.

9. Factors promoting cohesion include shared goals (justice), group solidarity (supporting each other's roles), and effective communication. Factors undermining cohesion include personal biases (racism or prejudice against the man from the slums), conflicts over evidence interpretation, and increasing emotional tensions. These factors shape the group’s ability to function harmoniously or fragment under pressure.

10. Juror #3 exemplifies a task-oriented role, passionately insisting on guilty based on personal biases, though he fails to listen empathically to other perspectives (relationship roles) and often pursues personal vindication (self-oriented). His most resolute role is as a task-oriented participant, demonstrating stubborn insistence on a guilty verdict driven by personal anger and frustration.

In conclusion, "12 Angry Men" vividly illustrates the complexities of group interaction within a jury. Key psychological concepts, including deindividuation, social influence, cohesion, and power, manifest throughout the film, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking, moral courage, and understanding group dynamics in decision-making processes.

References

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