Beyond Feelings - Vincent Ruggiero.original_ [33]
Bert is thirteen. His friends are insensitive to other people. They even look for opportunities to ridicule other people. If a classmate is overweight or homely or unusually shy or not too intelligent, they will taunt the person about it. If the person shows signs of being bothered by the cruelty, they will consider this a sign of weakness and increase the abuse. Bert knows this behavior is wrong and he derives no pleasure form it, but he goes along with it and even indulges in it form time to time so as not to appear weak to his friends. He realizes that in their eyes if he is not with them completely, he is against them.
Rose works in a dress factory. Shortly after she began work, she realized that the other workers' output was unrealistically low, that it was possible for her to complete twice as much work as the other without straining. Then in subtle ways the other workers let her know that if she worked at a reasonable pace, the employer would become aware of their deception and demand more work from them. Knowing she would at the very least be ostracized if she did not conform to their work pace, she decided to do so.
Alex is a freshman representative in the state legislature. When an important issue is being debated, he is approached by a powerful lobbyist who informs him that his political career will stand a better chance of surviving if he votes a certain why. The lobbyist mentions the name of half a dozen other representatives and suggests that Alex ask them about the wisdom of voting that way. He contacts them and they say, in effect, "We're supporting the position of that lobbying group; if you value your career, you'll do the same." He takes their advice and conforms.
Emma and Homer are a young married couple. They become acquainted with a group of couples in their neighborhood. After they have been accepted in the group, they realize that the group's main diversion is mate swapping. It becomes clear to Emma and Homer that the price they must pay for the group's friendship and association is involvement in their diversion. Both of them find the idea repulsive, but they like the people and value their friendship, so they decide to become involved in the mate swapping.
Think of two significant ways which you have conformed with the ways of others. Examine each separately and determine what motivated you to conform. Evaluate the effects of your conformity on you and others.
Advertising frequently plays on our urge to conform. Describe at least three advertisements or commercials that do so, and explain how they do it.
Analyze each of the following issues carefully, and then decide what judgment is most reasonable. Be sure to apply what you learned in this chapter about avoiding mindless conformity.
Christian churches have traditionally regarded homosexuality as a sin. Some theologians and church leaders have begun to question that view.2 What is your position? In other words, do you think homosexuality is immoral?
Reports of human rights violations (such as imprisonment without formal charges or trial, torture, and even murder) continue do come from a number of countries that receive foreign aid from the United States. Many people believe the United States should demand that those countries end such violations as a condition of receiving foreign aid. Do you agree?
When people are stopped on suspicion of drunken driving, they are often asked to submit to a breathalyzer test. If they refuse, their refusal can be used as evidence against them in court. Some lawyers believe such evidence amounts to testifying against oneself and is therefore unconstitutional. What is your view?
The Georgia Supreme Court ruled that a church founded by a woman who calls herself "a