If someone acted like a queen, they would be treated better than someone that acted like a lowly high schooler. The Stanford Prison Experiment expanded this very topic. A basic synopsis: People of equal status were divided into "greater than" and "less than," but only treated as such for a few days.
If someone is treated inhumanely, they will believe they are inhuman and act in part. If someone is treated well, they will believe they're pretty darn impressive. "Prisoners" took to numbers rather than names, and "Guards" became disciplinarians; they were not guarding anything but their own power. Surprisingly, the prisoners obeyed their "masters" on the very first day, well knowing they are not actually in prison.
Psychology proved stronger than logic. The men were equals with the exception of a week or so of different treatment. The guards went so far as to make the prisoners wash toilets with their bare hands. The prisoners obeyed.
In another case, one we can identify with, affects our society everyday. Apparently, (click HERE to read article from CNN) attractive people are more highly compensated than their homely peers. Looks do not impact one's abilities, but since one group is dubbed "better," they are treated as such. In some societies, being male is superior to being female. Regardless of actual personalities, the males will be treated better.
Whose to say teachers are so much better than students? They get desks and department secretaries, while we get a 1'x4' metal box and a number. (ID number=Prison number? hmm...)
Who gets the job? Mr. Fancy or Mr. Regular?**
**They're the same guy!! The King of Spain**
Glenna,
ReplyDeleteThis is a really interesting article on appearance affecting other aspects in your life. Our society has strong values on appearance. We always hear about the media portraying people to look a certain way and giving people the wrong idea about appearance, but that isn't all in our society that gives us the idea we must look a certain way. Looks really can give people a leg up in the race for a job, promotion, etc. It's sad to say, but often times, I'm sure the prettiest person is looked at first for a job opportunity, because they are most likely noticed first, or more memorable to the person doing the hiring. Everything about our society seems to point towards looking the best, being the best, etc. and this value is pushed into many aspects of our lives.
Glenna and Dani,
ReplyDeleteWhile I'll agree that society may overly value appearance, I believe the employer's motivation in the job scenario is determined more by nature than society. In fact the one in power here is the employer because he/she makes the decision as to how much to pay his/her employees. The decision to give an attractive employee more than they deserve seems to me to be more linked to the employer's desire to win the favor of the person who he/she is attracted to. While this may be interpreted as succumbing to an authority I think the employer is doing the natural thing, attempting to seduce a mate whose traits are favorable.
I understand your opinion, Max, and I think it is very true. Nature makes us want to impress people. However, I do not think that is the reason more attractive people are treated better than average looking people. The point I'm trying to make is that because society has dubbed attractiveness as "best," those people will be treated as such. It is a mindset, like in the prison experiment. The pretty people are the guards, or "better-thans," an thus are treated better. It could be any trait, like voice quality or shoe size, for example.
ReplyDeleteDani, I also agree with you. "Everything about our society seems to point towards looking the best, being the best, etc." holds true to my original argument in that society has decided WHAT traits are the best. Those are the ones we value, and succumb to. If skinny is in, the skinny people are idolized. If brunettes are the best, brunettes will then be idolized and treated better. It is psychology more than actual merit.
Thanks, guys, for the comments!