Class Assignment
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“First hearing the pod cast by Sommers and Pizarro (2012), I could not help but note the similarities to Cartalk. The similarities got my hopes up that this would be an entertaining podcast (which is honestly the first podcast I have ever heard). I have been listening to Cartalk since I was a child, and I have never heard anything else like it. In the first few minutes, I wondered if Sommers and Pizarro (2012) could hold a candle to Click and Clack, not in regards to content, but in the humorous conveyance of typically mundane information. Click and Clack have the ability to double me over with laughter while they rant about the tank-like Ford Granada, so Sommers and Pizarro (2012) had big shoes to fill. Psychology and sociology are filled with important, yet sometimes uninteresting information; a humorous delivery is very welcoming. Overall, Sommers and Pizarro (2012) delivered the information in a manner which is appropriate for those who would like alternative methods to learning sociology, as long as they don’t mind some course language.
Sommers’ and Pizarro’s (2012) information of the Stanley Milgram obedience experiment was as accurate as the excepts from textbooks and videos. The difference was the depth of the discussion in the podcast. Sommers and Pizarro (2012) discussed not only the experiment but also the aftereffects. They spoke of details that I have never heard before, which I found intriguing. The discussion of Zimbardo’s power of the situation experiment was equally interesting. Most of the information in the podcast was not new to me, but I was entertained by the delivery by Sommers and Pizarro (2012). I tend to pay closer attention when I’m entertained and my attention has been grabbed.
In addition to the discussions of classic social experiments, Sommers and Pizarro (2012) briefly discussed the incidents at Abu Ghraib. The correlation between Abu Ghraib and Zimbardos’ experiment was made, and Sommers and Pizarro (2012) emphasized that it was the situation, not the people, that was responsible for the wrongdoings. We are quick to point figures at those who we believe are responsible for such atrocities, and we label them as evil. The men and women in the Zimbardo experiment and the Abu Ghraib incident were “regular” people who were following orders. The situations took over and made the dark history.
Sommers and Pizarro (2012) claimed that the situation always wins. Does that mean that we forfeit our control to the situation? The duo could reinforce that claim if they were actually incarcerated, and would need to survive inside the prison. Resisting the situation mandated a serious tone compared to the majority of the podcast, which allowed the listener to understand the importance of the subject. I enjoyed hearing “we are products of our environment”. I heard this phrase several years ago by a belligerent co-worker, but our superiors failed to recognize this reality.
The conversation about the “greater good” was well correlated to obedience. Sommers and Pizarro (2012) described the perpetrators in evil situations as feeling like they had a gun to their head. When an authority figure issues an order, one has little choice but to obey. We are conditioned to it. Most people will follow the order, justifying that they should not be held responsible. Only those who can stand firm on their moral ground will defy orders, at a high price of punishment. Often times, order are issued and carried out in haste, which leaves little room for decision making.
In all, the podcast by Sommers and Pizarro (2012) was humorous and filled with good information. The humor aided in the retention of information, especially for those who are unfamiliar with social psychology. The humor also diluted the dark nature of the situations and experiments. As a note of warning to prude listeners, Sommers and Pizarro (2012) did not censor themselves. Every other word was not a profanity, but it was surprising to hear people curse who I would typically regard as “high society” people. If I have to gripe, it may the possible attention deficit disorder of the duo, who would often go off on a tangent. The tangents, however, did provide the much needed humor to the discussion of dark acts. I may have been expecting to hear Cartalk, but I was not disappointed with the witty, profane duo. - RB”
Psych 221 - Social Psych PSU via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/29/13
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“Was tempted to give a 1 star after asking to hit 100 in last episode but it's a good show so I can't help it.
If you like to hear people debating (or arguing depending on the episode) about philosophical topics this is the cast for you. The two hosts normally have different views on...”Read full review »
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wilderr via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/19/13
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