Group Dynamics, Power, and Influence Redefined: 'Twelve Angry Men'

This essay provides an in-depth analysis of group dynamics, power, and influence as depicted in the movie 'Twelve Angry Men.' It examines the jury's decision-making process, highlighting the stage model and punctuated equilibrium in group dynamics. The essay explores how individual personalities, norms, and roles within the jury influence the final verdict. It discusses the concept of influence, focusing on how jurors' opinions shift due to persuasive tactics and the presentation of evidence. Furthermore, the essay delves into the interplay of power and influence, illustrating how jurors attempt to sway each other's opinions, ultimately leading to a unanimous decision. The analysis references scholarly articles to support its claims and provide a comprehensive understanding of the social dynamics at play within the jury room.

Running head: CONCEPT OF GROUPS, POWER AND INFLUENCE REDEFINED
Concept of Groups, Power and Influence redefined
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1CONCEPT OF GROUPS, POWER AND INFLUENCE REDEFINED
Response to Question 1
Twelve Angry Men is one the most competent movies ever produced which makes an
analysis of group dynamics ("12 Angry Men (1957) - IMDb", 2019). In the case of the jury, the
group dynamics can be noticed in a comprehensive manner whereby, they were divided on their
opinion on how to give their verdict with regard to a capital murder case. In the movie what was
noticed is that the jury were divided on their opinion mainly because of their view of the murder
scene. Many believed in the guilt of the child, especially Juror number 3, played by Lee. J. Cobb
while others believed in the guilt of their father. In respect of the movie, the concept of stage
model can be analyzed. Stage model of group dynamics refer to the situation where the
individual members of the group gradually unites together after passing through the different
stages of time, patience and understanding (Forsyth, 2018). This model helps in the
understanding of group dynamics better as all the members assume a common identity in a
gradual manner. For instance, initially, only Juror Number 8, Henry Fonda, believed in the
innocence of the child. Later, the other Jurors followed suit expect Juror number 3, Lee. J. Cobb.
On the other hand, the model of punctuated equilibrium states that often time groups are
constructed in order to achieve a common target within a specific period of time (Slotter, Winger
& Soto, 2015). Due to such temporary nature of the group, they do not combine to form a
cohesive group, but rather chooses to stay as an individual. Once the target is achieved, the group
dissolves. The advantage of this group dynamics is that it helps to understand the existing
differences among the different jury members in the movie.
Response to Question 2

2CONCEPT OF GROUPS, POWER AND INFLUENCE REDEFINED
The concept of punctuated equilibrium is more suited to understand the group dynamics
that can be observed in the context of the movie ‘Twelve Angry Men’. In this movie it has been
showed that a son has been accused of killing his father. When presented before a jury of twelve
members, around eleven of them were initially convinced that it was the son who was guilty ("12
Angry Men (1957) - IMDb", 2019). However, one of them, Juror number 8, played by Henry
Fonda, and known as “Davis” in the movie believed that all the evidences should be taken in to
consideration before a verdict is passed. In this scenario it can be seen that the jury members
came together only to serve a particular interest; that is to decide who was guilty. Moreover, the
distinct personalities of the jury members were shown in a comprehensive manner throughout
the movie. Each member were distinctly different from each other, such as one was angry, a few
were compassionate with the plight of the son, other were arrogant and believed in following the
letter of the law without any exceptions. As a result, the condition of punctuated equilibrium can
be applied to this movie (Franco et al., 2018).
Response to Question 3
In the movie “Twelve Angry men’, several norms and roles of the different members of
the society can be observed when analyzing the members of the jury and their personalities ("12
Angry Men (1957) - IMDb", 2019). One of the most important value which can be seen in the
movie is respect and reverence for the letter of the law. When the case came before the jury with
concrete evidence, they were convinced about the guilt of the son. However, one of the members
of the jury wanted to uphold the spirit of the law and tried to analyze the situation after gathering
all the relevant evidences and interviewing all the concerned people (Carstensen & Schmidt,
2016).

3CONCEPT OF GROUPS, POWER AND INFLUENCE REDEFINED
Another instance where the adherence to norm was visible is the time when no verdict
was given without the concurrence of all the members of the jury towards a unified judgment
(Shen, 2015). It was only in the last instance that Juror number 3, Lee. J. Cobb accepted the fact
that the son was not guilty, thereby giving a unanimous vote in the process. In the course of the
movie, the jury members were divided among themselves over the issue. Although majority of
them were convinced about the guilt of the son, no verdict was given until all of them were
convinced. As a result, the norm of the unanimity of the jury was upheld in the movie.
Response to Question 4
In the initial stage of the movie, the members of the jury were convinced that it was the
son who had murdered his father and hence, deserved to be incarcerated ("12 Angry Men (1957)
- IMDb", 2019). However, in the course of the movie, their decision changed and fluctuated
between compassion for the father and compassion for the son. In this scenario, the concept of
influence can be seen playing a significant role (Adler, Rodman & Du Pré, 2016). The jury
members were influenced by the stories of the son and the evidences that was provided against
him. For instance, Juror number 8 believed that the sound of the nearby train could have
obscured the hearing power of the witness who had allegedly heard the son accusing the father.
Moreover, the murder weapon was found which implicated the son. All of them made the jury
convinced that it was the son who was guilty. However, the initial cohesiveness of the jury where
eleven out of twelve members were convinced of the guilt of the son, began to break down over
time under the influence of the plight of the son ("12 Angry Men (1957) - IMDb", 2019). When
the son told the jury about the reason for his act, their cohesiveness began to disintegrate and
they started to believe in the innocence of the son.
Response to Question 5

4CONCEPT OF GROUPS, POWER AND INFLUENCE REDEFINED
In the movie, the idea of power and influence played a significant role. Influence is
observed when one individual tries to change the opinion of the other individual. In this scenario,
the concept of power is also important as power signifies the ability of the individual to change
the opinion in an effective manner. In the movie, the members of the jury would either vote in
favor or against the son by persuading the other members to follow their mindset. For instance,
when one of the members, Juror number 3, played by Lee J. Cobb, shouted “of course he is
guilty” when before a vote was taken, the other members were influenced as the situation was
ambiguous in nature ("12 Angry Men (1957) - IMDb", 2019). He tried to assert the normative
social influence in order to convince the other members that the son is guilty. This type of
influence is known as assertiveness. Moreover, besides the concept of influence, the idea of
power can also be observed in this scenario (Wrong, 2017). However, it was Juror number 8
named Davis who was able to sway the members in his favor. The influence tactic used by him
was that of persuasive tactic whereby he persuaded the other members of the jury to carefully
scrutinize all the evidences.

5CONCEPT OF GROUPS, POWER AND INFLUENCE REDEFINED
References:
12 Angry Men (1957) - IMDb. (2019). IMDb.
Adler, R. B., Rodman, G. R., & Du Pré, A. (2016). Understanding human communication (Vol.
10). Oxford University Press.
Carstensen, M. B., & Schmidt, V. A. (2016). Power through, over and in ideas: conceptualizing
ideational power in discursive institutionalism. Journal of European Public Policy, 23(3),
318-337.
Forsyth, D. R. (2018). Group dynamics. Cengage Learning.
Franco, K., Geeraerts, D., Speelman, D., & Van Hout, R. (2018, July). Variation in lexical
diversity: the influence of concept-related features. In Abstract Book. The 20th
International Congress of Linguists (pp. 2-6).
Shen, Y. J. (2015). Cultivating multiculturally competent counselors through movies. Journal of
Creativity in Mental Health, 10(2), 232-246.
Slotter, E. B., Winger, L., & Soto, N. (2015). Lost without each other: The influence of group
identity loss on the self-concept. Group Dynamics: Theory, Research, and
Practice, 19(1), 15.
Wrong, D. (2017). Power: Its forms, bases and uses. Routledge.

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