An aspect of the dynamics between dominant groups and subordinate groups which stood out to me is the tendencies for some members to imitate the dominants. This imitation could mean subordinates imitating the poor treatment demonstrated by the dominants or potentially adopting positive behaviors/qualities that they have witnessed from the dominants. It is interesting that depending on the group, this imitation can be very negative or very positive.
This idea reminded me a lot of the Stanford Prison Experiment; “prisoners” and “guards” imitated what they expect a dominant group to act like vs. what they expect a subordinate group to act like. This led to the notorious corruptness of the “guards” and maltreatment of the “prisoners.” Additionally, some “prisoners” took it upon themselves to be destructive or mean towards other “prisoners;” imitating the dominant group’s behavior of the “prisoner” class as a whole. It is very intriguing to think about how groups act when interacting with other groups and how quickly behaviors are to transfer between groups, most commonly in terms of subordinate groups learning from their dominants.
Using the Stanford Prison Experiment was a great way to connect something to the reading. In that experiment, it was common for qualities and behaviors to be adopted by the dominants( guards), just because of the power they held.
I like how you used the point of dynamics within a group of subordinate and dominant groups. I find it interesting how members of subordinate groups can mimic qualities of others from dominant groups and can vary in how it affects them. I also really liked the connection to the Stanford Prison Experiment that connects to the first paragraph.
while what is widely known about the Stanford prison experiment is true in regards to the reading. however it should be known that the Stanford experiment has been disproved as false, one hundred percent not a study that anyone should relate to. but i can see where and how it can be related.
I understand where this comparison is coming from. The relationships between the dominant and subordinate in these cases are tricky. The subordinates are fighting to survive in a system that functions on negative stereotypes. I think that the frustration and fatigue of this fact is what actually causes people to slip into these ideas.
I thought it was very interesting how you brought up the way people can adopt new behaviors from watching the dominant group. I definitely see how both positive and negative ones can be adopted. I think this is important because it’s important to help people and show kindness and hope they grow positively.
I also thought it was really interesting that some members of the subordinate group have a tendency to imitate the dominant group. I wonder if this is because the subordinate groups knows the dominant group so well, even better than themselves, that they take on their characteristics, or is it a subconscious desire to fit in?