"Crash"

Paper Summary:

This paper uses Paul Haggis' film, "Crash", to examine two concepts from social psychology, individualism versus collectivism, and persuasion with regard to attitudinal change. In particular, it looks at "Crash" and how Paul Haggis addresses quite bluntly the everyday racism of Los Angeles as eight characters of diverse backgrounds happen to intersect over a couple of days, changed by one event or recognition or another. The paper attempts to show how the film is helpful in its depiction of persons 'safely' distanced from one another, who can no longer be so on account of random incidents over a day or two and how all characters, as they are been brought to their senses, see the need for expansion and positive sense of collectivism in a disturbed city.

Outline:
Introduction
Individualism vs. Collectivism
Persuasion
Concluding Discussion

From the Paper:

"Haggis's entire film is an exercise in persuasion as much as characters each undergo experiences to reveal their previous attitudes for what they were, redemption possible in putting aside the non-interaction of before, the recognition profound that all with whom they have dealt in the two days in Los Angeles have proven about like themselves. Within this concept, Alcock Et Al referred to a protection motivation model of human defense mechanisms centered on a belief in a serious threat, a person to feel vulnerable in some way, a person able to perform a recommended action, and belief that this action will be successful. (2005: 130-131) Chaudhuri Et Al noted the tendency towards cooperation in social dilemmas, as in unexpected disasters inducing sudden trust and reciprocity. (2002) If one does not sustain a crisis or another transforming experience, then one continues in the luxury of assumption, avoidance and exclusion. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Alcock, J.E., D.W. Carment and S.W. Sadava. (2005). A Textbook of Social Psychology. 6th Edition. Toronto: Pearson - Prentice-Hall.
• Chaudhuri, A., B. Sopher and P. Strand. (2002). Cooperation in Social Dilemmas, Trust and Reciprocity. Journal of Economic Psychology, 23, 231-250.
• Haggis, Paul. (2004). Crash. 118 minutes.
• Pettigrew,T.F. (1997). Generalized Intergroup Contact Effects on Prejudice. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 23, 173-185.
• Staff. (1992). Understanding the Roots - Los Angeles before and after the Rodney King Case. Los Angeles: Los Angeles Times.

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• Comparison Essay # 71938 : "The 1987 Stock Market Crash"
• Analytical Essay # 5606 : "The Great Crash: 1929"

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