Individualism and Groupthink Analysis

Homework No. 3 Give your paper a title 1,200 words minimum - (more is always OK) - type the final word count in the upper left corner of your paper Minimum 6 paragraphs Americans value individualism, yet they tend to be very conforming – (ie: being “on trend) Links to the definition are below. Groupthink can contribute to stability and order in a society, but often at great personal, social, environmental and moral cost. Sometimes groupthink can be socially restrictive as challenges or objections are ignored. Sometimes, groupthink can keep minor issues from bogging down a project. YOUR ASSIGNMENT – FOLLOW THE ORDER BELOW: FIRST: Write an introductory paragraph. What is the assignment about? What is the central notion of Jackson’s story? What is her point? SECOND (do not write in a long block of type here; break up your thoughts and prompt responses into at least three paragraphs in this section):In not less than 500 words (longer is fine) read and fully summarize the plot of “The Lottery,” by Shirley Jackson. The text is below. Start to finish, what happens in the story? Where does the story take place? What is the story about? What is the point of the lottery? Why is it held? How long has it been held? What is the outcome for the people who select blank slips of paper? What is the outcome for the person who selects the paper with the black mark? How often is the lottery held? Who participates in the lottery? Be sure to include commentary on the several age-based perspectives of the characters in the story. How do the oldest citizens feel about the lottery? Provide at least three supporting quotes to your position on this and specifically name the older people you are quoting. How did the younger citizens, the school-aged children, feel about the lottery? Provide at least three supporting quotes to your position on this. Need to name the children and what they say/do. Specifically describe the villagers in your story summary. Give examples for old, young and in-between citizens. Who conducts the lottery? Who were the first villagers to arrive? What did villagers do while they waited for the lottery to begin? Who gathers up the stones? Who was last to arrive and was nearly late for lottery? How does the story end? THIRD:In a new paragraph, define good citizenship. WRITE THIS DEFINITION IN YOUR OWN WORDS – DO NOT GIVE ME A DICTIONARY DEFINITION. THINK FOR YOURSELF. NO CREDIT FOR DICTIONARY DEFINITIONS. THIS DEFINITION OF “GOOD CITIZENSHIP” IS TO BE COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE STORY. INCLUDE NOTHING IN THIS SECTION ABOUT THE STORY. Include these two things in your definition of good citizenship: What do you believe is required of ‘good’ citizens? What are the duties inherent in good citizenship? Be sure to include this: by your own definition, do you personally engage in good citizenship? FOURTH:In a new paragraph, define “groupthink” as you understand its meaning. Write this in your own words, as though you were explaining it to someone else. You must include an example of groupthink. Is participating in groupthink an act of good citizenship or not? TO BE CLEAR, the term is groupthink, NOT groupthinking or group thinking. People participate in “groupthink.” Do not use incorrect terms in your assignments. You will lose points. FIFTH:In a new, separate paragraph describe the “main event” that takes place in “The Lottery” on the particular day described in the story—that is, what do all the townspeople do together? What is the event in which they all participate? How does this collective activity qualify as groupthink? SIXTH:Finally, in a new paragraph, compare the actions of the townspeople to your definition of good citizenship. Are the people of this village ‘good’ citizens or not, and why? No right or wrong answer – but you need to support and defend your answer here. Groupthink definitions: [login to view URL] (Links to an external site.) [login to view URL] (Links to an external site.) (Sociology text) the tendency for group members to reach a consensus at all costs The practice of thinking or making decisions as a group in a way that discouragescreativity or individual responsibility. A pattern of thought characterized by self-deception, forced manufacture of consent,and conformity to group (Links to an external site.) values and ethics A phenomenon developed in groups and marked by the consensus of opinion without critical reasoning or evaluation of consequences or alternatives. Groupthink revolves around a common desire to not upset the balance of a group of people by creating conflict –– with creativity and individuality considered potentially harmful traits that should be avoided. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• "The Lottery" By Shirley Jackson [login to view URL]

ID do Projeto: 40326148