Forming a Group An Anthem Activity

Directions In your groups, you will answer the following questions. You must come to a consensus and everyone must write down the same answers. What is your group’s name? Choose a symbol to represent your group. Draw it below. Write down a set of rules that your group will follow. Choose one celebrity actor and one actress who would represent your group. If your group as a whole could have one pet, what would it be? If your whole group was going to play as a team, which sport would your group play?

Follow-up Questions Reflect on the roles you played in your group. Was there a major decision maker? If so, who and why do you think they became that? Was there any disagreement? How was it resolved?

Groups People act differently in groups. Sometimes they find themselves in a situation that they may not be comfortable with, but for the sake of the group, they go along with it.

Groupthink  Groupthink is a term developed by Irving Janis, a psychologist. It describes a process that happens to groups that cause them to make bad or irrational decisions. In a groupthink situation, members of the group conform their own ideas to create group consensus.

Video Clip Consider this study: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyDDyT1lDhA&index=15&list=WL Why do you think people started giving the wrong answers?

Video Clip 2 Do you think people would conform even if it could be dangerous? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjP22DpYYh8 How could our human tendency to conform help to create a society like Anthem?