Movie analysis



Movie analysis

The film "12 Angry Men" exemplifies many social psychology theories. This tense, compelling film features a group of jurors who must decide the guilt or innocence of an accused murder. Initially eleven of the twelve jurors vote guilty. Gradually, through heated discussion, the jurors are swayed to a not-guilty decision. Upon examination, the film highlights social psychology theories in areas of conformity, attitude change and group process.

Conformity

Within the context of the jury room conformity is a dangerous device. "Twelve Angry Men" exemplifies the power of informational social influence and normative social influence, theories developed through the research of Muzafer Sherif, Solomon Asch and others. According to informational social influence individuals conform because they believe that other's interpretation of an ambiguous situation is more salient, or valid, than their own. Normative social influence is a theory that posits the cause of individual conformity due to the possibility of appearing deviant.

Judging other's interpretations of an ambiguous event often leads to conformity caused by informational social influence. This theory is applicable within the juror's decisional processes of the "Twelve Angry Men." Informational social influence is exacerbated by ambiguity of situation, importance of being correct, time constraints, and presence of those perceived as experts. (Kolb, 1995)

Conformity due to social influence is portrayed within the first moments of the film. Within the jury room, heated debate is precluded by an initial vote. This vote, taken publicly, was susceptible to normative social influence, an element of social influence, or conformity due to a fear of appearing deviant. As the jurors cast their initial vote, hesitancy is obvious in many of the eleven whom vote guilty. This timidity can be interpreted as weak conviction swayed by the guilty majority's influence.

Two of the jurors, a particularly irascible individual and a sickly, prejudiced man, appeal to normative social influence. The volatile man quickly bolsters his position when he vituperates, "of course he is guilty," prior to the vote being taken. The sickly man exclaims after the vote and Henry Fonda's deviation, "there's always has to be one." Both men attempt to harness the power of normative social influence to convince all that a guilty vote is applicable.

Informational social influence, or conformity based on others views, is exacerbated by time constraints. The nature of a jury, despite philosophical leanings, is one of severe time pressure. The courts are an overburdened element within our justice system. Perceived pressure, upon a jury, by judges and prosecutors alike, could confound the jury process and create conformity according to the theory of normative informational social influence. Though the film is void of any references from the judge regarding timelines of decision this is a relevant factor possibly influencing the "12 Angry Men," and must be considered as a potential factor in creating normative social influence.

An additional time constraint is placed upon the jury by their wishes and needs.

Many of the men, in this all-male jury, describe their employment or other aspects of life Jury ...