Analysis of Carol Tavris' In Groups We Shrink From Loner’s Heroics

Analysis of Carol Tavris' “In Groups We Shrink From Loner’s Heroics”

“Something happens to individuals when they collect in a group. They think and act differently than they would on their own. (17)” States Carol Tavris in her article, “In Groups We Shrink From Loner’s Heroics”. Tavris believes people who are in groups tend to act in a more sluggish manor than those alone. She states many examples of this theory in her article, including the story of Kitty Genovese which is stated in the first paragraph. Kitty was stabbed repeatedly and killed in front of her New York apartment. No one did anything to stop this heinous action from taking place. Within her essay she obtains rhetorical appeals to prove that her statements are plausible to the audience.

Carol Tavris was born in 1944 and received her Ph.D. in Social Psychology from the University of Michigan. She has published mental health issues and taught courses in psychology. Her articles have been published in magazines like Science Digest, Harpers, Redbook, and the New York Times. She has also published Anger: the Misunderstood Emotion, and The Mismeasure of Woman. For the reason Tavris has a Ph.D. in Social Psychology her intelligence shows through her work. Through this article, one can tell she is very dedicated and interested in her work. Tavris writes to any audience, however, the impact from the article will only be possessed in the persons who have the traits of the people she is writing about. This article is a full attack on human nature and people may feel a little judged after reading it. This is exactly what Tavris wants; she wants people to take a look at their own lives. She expects the audience to change the way they act...

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...und them, basically, not to be afraid to stand up against the normal.

Tavris is able to use the structure of an argument and all three rhetorical appeals to show her purpose and point by directing it to the audience she is trying to address. Through these, she is able to persuade the audience to believe she is factual in her ideas. Tavris believes people act differently when they are alone as compared to the moments when they are protected by a group of people. If one simply views the world through her theory, they would realize that her hypothesis is very correct. As people are protected within their group of friends, they are less likely to help a total stranger in need. However, until our wonderful society is willing to stand up within groups of people, our world is going to have to face the fact that no one will help them unless they are alone.