“Common Assessment” Sam Richard’s TED talk, “A Radical Experiment in Empathy,” asks the audience to step out of their comfort zone and pretend to be in the mindset of someone else. He specifically justifies the perspective of Iraq Muslims on the American military. Richards uses an imaginary story of Chinese aggression against America to widen his listeners’ awareness of their biases. The sociological symbolic interactionism provides a frame work for his argument by highlighting shared meanings of symbols in different groups, how those meanings can change with time and interaction, and the challenges these different meanings cause in interactions. Symbols stand for things. One thing that causes a group of people to feel connected is when they agree on the meaning of symbolic things in their lives. One example from the TED talk is the American flag. Typically, the American flag is a positive patriotic symbol for most Americans (pre- NFL controversy), and the image of the grieving widow receiving the folded flag at a military funeral is a mixture of sadness and pride. However, that same flag can represent fear and anger to our enemies. Word choices have more meaning then just the …show more content…
I agree that it is unfair to judge people without even trying to understand where they are coming from with their ideas and actions, but I also feel there are some actions that are wrong no matter what the reasons behind them are. Empathy demands that we acknowledge and attempt to understand and care about someone else’s feelings. To connect this to Richards’ argument, I agree that it is important to understand that war is not a simple good and evil conflict because it involves people with real feelings, real situations, and unique perspectives. To disagree with his argument, while I may understand another person’s perspective, my beliefs might make it impossible for me to approve of the actions that perspective leads
A vaccine is a mix of potentially infectious agents, or some noninfectious part, given to build up a resistance (Stratton).
Sam Richards is a sociologist who teaches at Pennsylvania State University and has created the 3rd most viewed Ted talk in the world. In this talk, titled, "Radical Experiment in Empathy" Richards discusses how the classic American view on the war in Iraq is flawed and stresses the importance of empathy for the Iraqi natives. He begins by describing a world where China occupies America due to our abundance of coal. In this alternate universe, Americans grow restless of occupation and begin to revolt, this causes China to send in the military and creates a situation eerily similar to the American invasion of Iraq. Professor Richards uses this example to create an empathy response in the audience
In the short story “Cask of Amontillado” written by Edgar Allan Poe, the main character, Montresor, recounts on the time he murdered a guy named Fortunato. The story starts out by Montresor explaining that a man named Fortunato has wronged him many times, but his insult has lead Montresor to plot revenge and kill him. He plans to use Fortunato’s love of wine to lure him to his death. Montresor meets Fortunato at a carnival, and he explains that Fortunato is dressed as a jester and very drunk. Montresor then invites Fortunato to his home because supposedly has a pipe of amontillado, which is basically a barrel of sherry, which is very rare and expensive. Drunk Fortunato eagerly abides as he really wants to drink all of that Amontillado. All
Q7) Answer, symbolic interactionism Pg.119 Def.- Idea that symbols things to which we attach meaning are the key to understanding how we view the world and communicate with one another. A prime example of this is the nazi symbol the it used to be a symbol for power but then crazy people turned it into a symbol for hate. the symbols represent their core values. Those who they stick to their beliefs no matter how bad they are. most symbols are all tied into religion and hope because hope burns brighter than anything we can imagine. Things can become better and will in time we just have to believe but you also have to have the will to make things better because hope on its own is hollow, you need will to make that hope a reality. The core values
Wondra, J. D., & Ellsworth, P. C. (2015). An Appraisal Theory of Empathy and Other Vicarious Emotional Experiences. Psychological Review, 122(No. 3), 1-18. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0039252
In the article they research if psychopaths have the capacity empathy. This is connected with the human mirror neuron system and is basic to the capacity for moral reasoning. A lack of empathy is usually associated with alexithymia or with reduced mirror activity in the brain. They research this by measuring the degree of people’s empathy. They do this true a behavioral point of view; through verbal and nonverbal communication, the expression of Editorial empathy in feelings or comments, or in facial and bodily reactions to others. The results of their research indicated that psychopaths experience empathy and it may be a motivational factor in moral development.
The first goal which is Developing Empathy is helping children to be able to feel and sympathize with others around them. This is an important skill because it helps us to adjust our actions to the behaviors of others. For example, if Judy starts to cry because her ice cream falls on the ground, her best friend Anna will try to give Judy her ice cream to cheer her up. This is an example of empathizing. Teachers use techniques such as role playing and discussing feelings to help further children understanding. This can be seen in group time where photos are shown of people expressing different emotions and the children are to assume what could have made that person feel that specific way. The second goal is Learning to Be Generous Altruistic
They often recount historical events, the activities of ancestors, gods, spirits, and the origins of things” (Miller-Thayer). While symbols are “something verbal or non-verbal that symbolically stands for something else” (Miller-Thayer). Symbols can be places (like mountains or monuments), objects such as a
Symbols can take form in written words, tattoos, gestures, pictures, etc. (Benokraits,201x). In our modern American culture, we have many symbols that represent
By using the process of elimination, I determined which empathy training option I would choose to experience. Even in making the choice, there were practical considerations to make that those with the specific circumstances in their lives did not get to make a choice. For them, it was probably something that happened, or maybe that is how they were born. What they do get to choose is how they deal with or make adjustments for their situation. Dictionary.com defines empathy as the psychological identification with or vicarious experiencing of the feelings, thoughts, or attitudes of another.
Conditions of worth enable the client in experiencing self and reinforce limited self to parts acceptable to others. However when person experiences empathy and unconditional positive regard the problem gradually resolves which eventually expands the self concept and accepting the diverse experiences.
A symbol represents an important idea, object, or process. In America we have many symbols that represent many national ideas. It is very important for citizens to understand our national symbols because they appear in important events that represent us. Symbols have a deeper meaning than what they seem to appear to the national public. Symbols are important to the country and their people because it brings them together in a sense that other people might not understand. Americans bond toward their patriotic representation in America. Without symbolism, America would not have the pride , courage and ambition to be one of the top leading countries throughout the world.
For me to lay out how I could begin developing empathy for disadvantaged groups, I must start with an understanding of what empathy is at its core. Bozarth defines empathy as, “…the ability to share the emotional experience of another, the cognitive capacity to understand it, and the ability to simultaneously regulate one’s own feelings…” (2009). The first step I must take in developing empathy for any disadvantaged group is addressing my own prejudices and biases. By working through my biases and prejudices I have a clearer path to connecting with these groups emotionally and mentally. As I enter the process of working through my own baggage, I will be able to more effectively develop empathy for a wider range of groups.
Symbolism is a great way to get people to connect to a central idea or concept. Traveling to a
Volksgemeinschaft was another principle outlined very greatly in propaganda and that is overcoming old differences in class, religion and politics. Volksgemeinschaft essentially entails the creation of a collective national identity by encouraging people to work together for the benefit of the nation, and promoting “German Values”. The Propaganda Machine was essentially another tactic used for when the information and election tactics adaped at a local level, with a division of different electoral districs. Encouraging feedback from the grassroots, so that effective ideas can be elsewhere. Posters and leaflets were tailored to fit a whole range of people. Technology such as loud speakers, radio and film were used to show these very same ideologies.