Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Entry #4: "In groups we shrink"



Some people believe that individuals are more likely to help in a dangerous situation verse those together in a group. Author Carol Tavris discusses the human natural reaction to a crisis in his book “In Groups We Shrink”. A number of experiments have been conducted that help conclude these claims in behavior. Based on my personal experience I have been in predicaments such as these and have witnessed how both groups tend to behave in different circumstances. Still I find myself curious to figure out why this maybe.  
In one behavioral experiment students were put in two separate rooms. Then began to fill the rooms with smoke, in the room where the student was alone they reacted quickly and ran out for help. The room with the group of students hesitated to call for help, and allowed the room to fill with smoke. I believe that the behavior of the student who was alone had to do with the fact that he was alone. Having no one else in the room with him with the slightest sign of danger his instincts kicked in and he knew he had to help himself. Where it seems as the group of students in the other room with smoke depended on the next person to take initiative.
As far as other situations such as helping someone else that might be in trouble. I believe depends on the person themselves and their moral ethics. For example a person calling for help after they have witnessed a hit and run. The individual might feel obligated to do if they are the only person in the area who might have seen what happened and that can help. However if the circumstances had been different and the incident occurred around a larger group of people. That same individual might not feel as obligated now to inject themselves in the situation now that they were not the only witness who was at the scene of the accident.
  I personally believe it has something to do with the morals of each individual. For example I was put in a similar situation my first year of high school. On my way to class there was some type of commotion going on in the hallway. When I got closer I can tell that the commotion was a crowd of students surrounding what appeared to be a fight. As I began to watch I could soon tell it wasn’t exactly that, it was a senior student bullying a new girl at school. I looked around and judging by the faces of some of the students in the crowd no one was in agreement with what was going on. although no one had done or said anything to try to prevent it. I then took it upon myself to intervene and defend the new girl. Being a freshman myself I kind of felt for her and knew it was the right thing to do. So even thought I was an individual in that same group of kids. I didn’t wait for the next person to react i went with my moral instincts and did what I felt was appropriate.
According to the behavioral experiments conducted by psychologists are calling these reactions “Diffusion of responsibility” or “Social loafing”. This goes to say when there is a group of individuals, each individual become lazier. They think less for themselves and depend more on the next person. So with the expectation that someone else Is already doing what needs to be done, nothing does.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Blog Entry #3

  Jeffery Kluger discusses how the minds of the average human are easily fooled by lies and gossip. In his article “I know the truth, so don’t bother me with the facts” he writes about the opinion of professors from Ohio State University. Who have conduct studies of their own on the matter and explain why they agree with Kluger theory.
   I agree with Kluger it’s a shame how our minds are convinced with little effort to investigate the truth. Although I believe it is something that comes natural to some people, to want to gather more information about something they might feel they don’t have enough knowledge on. In my opinion for some like me it’s just common curiosity. Which is  

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Blog Entry #2: Summary



Jeffery Kluger discusses how the minds of the average human are easily fooled by lies and gossip. In his article “I know the truth, so don’t bother me with the facts” he writes about the opinion of professors from Ohio State University. Who have conduct studies of their own on the matter and explain why they agree with Kluger theory.

Thursday, March 6, 2014

   In the passage "Hype" Kalle Lasn goes on to discuss that advertisements, television commercials are the most prevalent and toxic of the mental pollutants. She states that from the moment we wake up until late into the night our minds are filled with about three thousand marketing messages per day. The author believes that the rise in commercials advertising has happened so quickly and relentlessly right before our eyes that we failed to realize it. Lasn feels that advertisements are no longer confined, now what ever surface business might feel will grasps your attention leaves room for promoting what it is they might have to sell no matter how peculiar the location. I think Lasn makes a valid point, no matter where we turn there is no escaping and no one is exempt from the world of advertising.

  I agree with the author but to a certain degree, I do believe there is a time and a place for everything. I would be bothered as well if im driving out of town, enjoying the scenery and my view gets inturupted by an enormous bill board every couple o f miles. In the school on computer screens, in the office space moving across vending machines. As well as in the stores while you shopping they continue to push advertisment. Then another majority of Ad's are not only visable but audio and get played over the radio. You can think that your coming home after a long day at work turn on the radio and relax while listerning to some jazz music. Then out of nowhere commercial about car insurence ruind the mood and focus of your relaxation.

  I have to disagree with the author on the point that I dont think that "advertisement are the most prevalent and toxic of the mental pollutants" there are things that can be worse. I know a lot of people who might find some commercials helful, informative, and can even save them a buck or two. As well as others including myself who look forward to the commercials come around superbowl time, where sports fans are just as excited for the ad's as they are for the actual football game.