1. Small Group Discussion:
a. Identify the social groups (cliches) at Parkview High School.
b. List several characteristics and several values of each group.
c. Discuss which group each of your group members feels he or she belongs to.
| Which other groups do or would you associate with? | |
| Which groups would you never associate with? Why? | |
| What characteristics or values do these groups have that conflict with yours? | |
| Do those groups feel the same way about your group? | |
| Discuss why each group holds those views of the other groups. |
d. Discuss the implications of such observations and conclusions:
| What happens when people make these kinds of assumptions about others? | |
| What are the positive and negative consequences of identifying yourself with a particular group and excluding yourself from other groups? | |
| What forms of group identification are legitimate? Which are unjustified? | |
| Why do people make such unjustified distinctions? | |
| Why is it hard to express attitudes that conflict with those of your group? | |
| How do group members respond to dissent? Why? | |
| How does the group members’ response make the dissenter feel? |
2. A representative from each group will share the group’s observations
with the class.