The cartoons below each communicate something about cliques and shared behaviors, values, or attributes.
Consider the following situation regarding cliques.
It is likely that at our school or in your local community there are multiple social groups, or cliques, that congregate around a shared set of interests, values, or assumptions. It is equally likely that each of the "distinct" groups (there is probably as much overlap between groups as there is true distinction) has or employs a semiotic sustem to advertise its identity. List some of the groups you commonly encounter--including your own (even if your own is a distinctly anti-group group!)--and some of the signs frequently employed.
Now, in your part 1 comment, think about and respond to the following questions. If you'd like to, you can also discuss any of the cartoons above.
1. What sign systems are commonly used?
2. How are they used differently among different groups?
3. What ideas are suggested about sign and sign systems as a result of your observations?
Then, for part 2, comment on at least two of your classmates' posts.
Consider the following situation regarding cliques.
It is likely that at our school or in your local community there are multiple social groups, or cliques, that congregate around a shared set of interests, values, or assumptions. It is equally likely that each of the "distinct" groups (there is probably as much overlap between groups as there is true distinction) has or employs a semiotic sustem to advertise its identity. List some of the groups you commonly encounter--including your own (even if your own is a distinctly anti-group group!)--and some of the signs frequently employed.
Now, in your part 1 comment, think about and respond to the following questions. If you'd like to, you can also discuss any of the cartoons above.
1. What sign systems are commonly used?
2. How are they used differently among different groups?
3. What ideas are suggested about sign and sign systems as a result of your observations?
Then, for part 2, comment on at least two of your classmates' posts.
One of the sign systems commonly used is connotation. we can find it in all three cartoons, where three different cliques are depicted. In the first cartoon the way their dressed, for example the green parrot is a sign of the straight limits of society in order to be accepted. In the second cartoon there is the same idea of society because the intellectual boy is not accepted by the group of cool guys, which represent society and how your physicality can exclude you or not. In the last cartoon there is a strong connotation for lack of personality because the men instead of finding their own way to live they still depend from each other. these cartoons suggest that our society is very biased and strict about being part of it or not.
ReplyDeleteFlaminia F.F.
I completely agree with Flaminia! By reading her comment I noticed that we share the same ideas! She added some things that I didn't even think about,as for example that the second cartoon showed that even physicality can determine your introduction in a group or not.In some cases this kind of judgement happens even in real life.There are cruel people that don't accept somebody in their "group" just because it's different,it shouldn't be like this.Every single person has to be accepted in society for how he/she really is.
DeleteFlaminia,
ReplyDeleteGood analysis of the cartoons, but what about sign systems in your own social systems here in school?. I'm also not sure you're quite there with discussing signs. In your analysis, you state that connotation is the sign system used. Really, we would not call "connotation" a system in and of itself; rather, connotation is a part of any semiotic system analysis. You have actually analyzed the cartoons in terms of social semiotics. Here's a link to a great website explaining semiotics further, if you'd like to consult it:
http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Documents/S4B/sem02.
In it you can find a large section on connotation and denotation as well.
Here's a little excerpt from that website:
Structuralists seek to describe the overall organization of sign systems as 'languages' - as with Lévi-Strauss and myth, kinship rules and totemism, Lacan and the unconscious and Barthes and Greimas and the 'grammar' of narrative. They engage in a search for 'deep structures' underlying the 'surface features' of phenomena. However, contemporary social semiotics has moved beyond the structuralist concern with the internal relations of parts within a self-contained system, seeking to explore the use of signs in specific social situations. Modern semiotic theory is also sometimes allied with a Marxist approach which stresses the role of ideology.
Semiotics began to become a major approach to cultural studies in the late 1960s, partly as a result of the work of Roland Barthes. The translation into English of his popular essays in a collection entitled Mythologies (Barthes 1957), followed in the 1970s and 1980s by many of his other writings, greatly increased scholarly awareness of this approach. Writing in 1964, Barthes declared that 'semiology aims to take in any system of signs, whatever their substance and limits; images, gestures, musical sounds, objects, and the complex associations of all of these, which form the content of ritual, convention or public entertainment: these constitute, if not languages, at least systems of signification' (Barthes 1967, 9).
In schools, there are numerous groups of people with different interests. In our school there are many groups and every group shares common hobbies such as music, drama and sports. Also I have a group of close friends in school with whom I spend most of the time. In life one of the most common sign system is human spoken language every different group uses this sign system to communicate together as shown in the second cartoon in which the intelligent boy is communicating with another group of boys. Another sign system commonly used is body language in which people communicate through verbal expressions. This sign system is used also in the first cartoon, in fact the way they are dressed and their expressions communicate that not everybody can be accepted within their group. Sign systems are used in different ways among different groups because every group has different ways of communicating with one another because every group has different interests. As a result of my observations I realized that sign and sign systems are the factors that surround each group, in fact all of the groups communicate and share their hobbies through signs and sign systems.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting to note spoken language vs. body language. Do you have any real life examples?
DeleteTo me cliques are not important, for me friendship is important. Being free and open, and accepting everyone, who also is free and open to friendship. The more people there are to be in friendship with the better. But normally three good friends are alreday wonderful. But they should never be exclusive.
ReplyDeleteMany people have a way of greeting each other, a specific handshake which only the clique knows.Or in the clique everyone has the same bracelet. Every clique may have a (different way of greeting each other) of communicating, by sharing some typical idioms or jokes against or over others.. Which for example the others, or specially new students dont know. Then they there outsiders.
All of the comic pictures show no self respect. To be in the group they all wear the same things, or in the second image they pretend to not be in a group just to get the new boy out. In life there are many cliques which when you are in the clique you feel well, but when you are an outsider you feel excluded if not alienated. My friends try to make everyone feel included.
Anna, you're right! Knowing the specific semiotic system of a clique allows one to be an outsider. Thinking like that, what kind of power does language, or knowledge of signs and sign systems, have?
DeleteI completely agree with you Anna. I agree that cliques are not important and about the fact groups always make fun of the newcomer. All groups, in any society should be open to any person that would like to join it. Making fun of the newcomer only because the groups do not know him yet is indeed childish, and is based on false statements. Groups make fun of newcomer for no reason, only because he looks different or no-one knows what his name is. Groups should be more sociable and open to people who are willing to join them.
DeleteMatilde A. says...
DeleteI perfectly agree with you, cliques should not exclude newcomers. But this does not mean that cliques have to be considered negative. I think that as long as a clique is open to let whoever wants to enter their group, nobody would feel as an outsider.
I have the same opinion as Anna B. cliques are not important although it’s obvious you have a group of friends you are closer to, but this doesn’t mean that you should not include new friends. Everyone should be open and accept everyone because more friends you have the better. In the end it’s even an advantage to have many friends because if you need someone surly no one will never betray you if you are a just person with them, because what you do to others is what others will do back to you.
DeleteI agree completely, and I don't see the need for cliques unless related to an office or job, which in any case would not even be named a clique, but an operation group of some sort. Exclusion is always the wrong way to go, and inclusion always the right. I always try to turn the situation around, how would I feel if someone had tried to exclude me? I don't see the point in excluding people or friends, what could be more important than having the people who care about you be right there with you with every step of the way?
DeleteI found very interesting what Anna said,because it is the truth. In this comment, the thing that "caught my eye" the most was when she talked about never excluding somebody from entering the "group". In school for example, we always stay with the same people,but that's not because we are a group,just because we share more things with these people than with others. As Anna said, if a new person comes, we as a society and a class will do our bests for making him/her feel comfortable as possible.
DeleteMany cliques form due to shared interests in drama, music, the arts and other hobbies which are actually often sign systems in themselves, as they express meaning through a variety of ways ( such as using a melody to convey a sentiment). Hence ability and enjoyment in practicing these sign systems may lead to the formation of a group of people who have this in common. Language, which is another even more complex sign system, also leads to the congregation of individuals who have one in common. In schools it is in fact much more likely for people with the same native language (and customs) to form a link than two people who can barely communicate verbally. Body language is another very important sign system to consider when analysing social interactions. Effusive body language implies a friendliness and openness of character, which may actually be the sole reason for the formation of a more relaxed group. However, the third cartoon illustrates how frequently similar habits between such people may, albeit unconsciously, develop. This suggests that although they might not have a unifying sign system to begin with, people will imitate each other to establish a closer bond. Groups may also employ visual sign systems, to distinguish member from the multitude. This may well be, as shown in the first and second cartoons, dressing alike and wearing similar accessories. Other cliques may again form due to values rather than talents in common, such as students who are mainly interested in studying. This would express itself through all the sign systems mentioned above; through their actions, what they say, how they say it and even how they look. Glasses, for example, are often associated with studiousness and are therefore considered a sign of it. Therefore, sign systems (and enthusiasm regarding them) cause people to found groups, but are also used to justify and unite people who might not previously have much in common. This suggests that common ground and ways of communicating unity is incredibly important for people to feel like ‘they belong’, and blending in is often essential to being comfortable in the midst of a specific crowd.
ReplyDeleteVery complete, Emma! Glad to have you on board here at MMI. :)
DeleteEmma I have to say you have an astonishing style, I love the way you write. Reading your comment truly instructed me on the different ways sign system is used. I profoundly agree with you when you define the types of hobbies as types of sign systems. I also found myself in agreement with the point you stated on the resemblance of the language use. I would like to add to your comment that according to me cliques with interests such as music tend to be extremely selective on the people they choose, because the arts department is very exclusive. would you agree with me?. :)
DeleteEmma, when I read your comment regarding the variouse cartoons, I was fascinated by your response. I perfectly agree with you that it is very common that groups form for the use of a specific language. I also found very interesting your examples of sign systems such as body language which is a very frequent one. I agree with you that most of the time groups will form because of the things they have in common such as studying or other hobbies. I found your comment very clear and it explains extremely well all three cartoons! :)
DeleteIn the environment I live in, I encounter many different social groups and I interact with them every day, especially at school. Even thought I socialize with many groups I frequent most habitually my best friends. We have many things in common such as living in the same areas of Rome, going to the same types os schools, going in the same places during week ends and holidays, dressing the same ways and finally sharing the same interests. This is a sort of homologation, which personally I dislike, but when many people live in the same way it is normal to form a group. Different groups may form for example in a sports environment since their principal interest is the same, others may form because of nationality or religious beliefs where people find themselves more compatible. My group of friends and I may all dress in the same way and drive the same cars when on the other hand a sportive group of people may distinguish because of what they do and wear most of the time. From my observation I can conclude that from signs we can deduce many things about groups of people such as where they live, what are their interests, what nationality they are, what they like and many other. An example which confirms my conclusion is the first cartoon. It shows that in that particular group, only a specific type of clothing is accepted as well as the bandage and the parrot. They are all the same and for sure they are sharing the same interests.
ReplyDeleteBeatrice C.
The sign given by each of the group in cartoon number one are objects for example the bandage and the parrots but also images given by the position of how they are seated. Everybody is part of a group that is listening to someone that teaches how to deal with the parrots.
ReplyDeleteIn cartoon number two the semiotic system is refusal. The skirt, pants and the book are signs of this difference. The values and attributes of the group and of the boy are very different which leads the group to behaviour of refusal towards the boy. By this cartoon we deduce that exclusion is led by differences.
The lack of innovation and personal creativity is the semiotic of cartoon three. The signs that show this are the same physical appearance, the hair cut, the circle shape at their feet that has no changes and the sign behind their back with “follow me” written on it. This group is homogeneous with no minimal changes either physical or mental.
The signs used in these three cartoons in many cases are the same for example the garment or the physicality, but the sign system in which they are put in distorts the whole signifier. As we can see from image one, the signs are the same for all the people shown. The sign of the parrot shows that they share same ideas, which joins them. Different from cartoon one, cartoon two highlights the refusal of a group due to differences, which may be caused not only for physical aspects but also for intellectual differences. Cartoon three again there is a presence of similar signs but opposite of the first two the signified given to it is lack of creativity where everyone follows the one in front of them not able to make their own choices.
Just as in the groups in the cartoons shown there are similar happenings in real life, and in the school society. As the school has a dress code the signs of students like clothes is equal for everybody, but this is not enough to have one homogeneous group. What differentiates us is the meaning we give to the signs. What makes a group “group” is their different behaviours, values, or attributes. For this reason most commonly the groups formed in school are due to attributes for example a predisposition in sports which joins similar people together, or values like putting first school homework rather than something else.
Chandler, Daniel. “Semiotica for Beginners.” Www.Aber.ac.uk. 13 January 2009. Web. 9 September 2012.
-Ginevra S.
Ginevra,
ReplyDeleteThanks for citing your source! :)
The group I joined, as soon as I arrived at my current school, is indeed very sociable and open to anyone. We do not exclude others or dislike/disrespect any other individual or group. We have some main discussion topics that continue for the whole day. We sometimes talk about school when we want to, or just popular music and movies. Most of the time we wear the same clothes due to the dress code imposed by the school we go to. When we are outside of our school's campus our group is different from other groups, since our group is an international group, while in Rome most of the groups are formed of Italians. Our Internationality is the only factor that differentiates us from any other group.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely, the Marymount community is the one unique group that allows us to be a family and all one person. We represent Marymount inside and outside of school, on and off campus, as a student and as a graduate. We are not only an international group, but an international family, we have more needs to attain comfort but it's not done through exclusion, but inclusion, although this is not always the case, I think it's safe to say that we are all inclusive as a whole, and see the problems in having cliques.
DeleteEveryday I find myself wondering what the other groups think about mine and what would be the differences between those people and my friends. I personally considerate myself a lucky person because I had the opportunity to "belong" to many different groups either inside and outside the school. What I have noticed for sure is that the arguments and activities we talk about and do are very different and have different purposes. But what I was able to conclude in the end iss the fact that in every group there is always a sort of "leader" or a person who everyone admires and follows. I am not saying it is a bad thing. I am just saying that, what I have learned from my own experiences, is that the reason why people belonging to the same cliques or groups wear the same clothes, listen the same music, and do the same things, is because they want to be similar to the person they admire and they want to look like them. What might often happen is that many groups might hang out together and they might exchange many interests, so many times these cliques are opened to new ideas(openminded). In my opinion to be part of a group is a way to start finding ourselves and our own personality, because in your group people think the same way as you do, and you have the opportunity to share your thoughts without the fear of not being accepted. Though many people think that to be part of a group does not help you at all because you have now idea what to be part of a society with different cultures, people, and ideas means. As the actor Andrew Shue said "Try to have as diverse group of friends as possible and don`t get into the the clique scenario."
ReplyDeleteInteresting to bring up cliques as a sort of "follow-the-leader" situation as opposed to a group of people with shared interestd or beliefs. Do leaders of different groups have certain qualities that make them leaders?
DeleteI see where you are coming from Flavia, and I agree. I also think that normally there is a leader. But the "leader" doesnt even notice that. The supposed leader, the person who everyone looks up to may even look up to one of the followers. And i think that normally this is the situation, which in that case makes everyone in the group feel better! A quality a leader may have is keeping the group together, and excepting others!
DeleteFlavia I find myself in complete agreement with you. I believe cliques are nearly always guided by leaders. According to personal experience there are two sorts of leaders: leaders who try to gain control over you and consequently negatively influence you, or leaders who make you involved in decisions and therefore truly help you develop your interest or in some cases your character. Cliques who have dictatorship leaders should always be avoided.
DeleteI partially agree with you Flavia. In a group most of the times there is a leader, but what is a leader and who decides so? Maybe when I was younger I used to think that a leader is the one I would have liked to become one day, or a person that had a strong character and impose his or her will among others. Now my idea of cliques and leader is very different. Personally what I think is that when all the individuals of the group have developed their personality and character each one of them becomes a leader. a question that would come up to mind then would be which of them would be then the leader? In my personal experience the leader is the one that “does the most for the group”. Doing more for the group does not mean that the other elements are not involved in it, but that are “distracted’ by other factors. In fact the leader is not a fixed stable element, but it can change numerous times and there can be more than one at a time.
DeleteFlavia, I agree with you when you say that you are a lucky person because you belong to a group of people with whom you enjoy passing your time. I feel the same too, in fact I love to stay with my group of friends. I reflected on your comment that in each group every person is very similar both in opinions and also for the clothes they wear. This is also very true but in my opinion people of the same group don't act the same way because they admire a leader, they act in a specific way because they have the same interests in fact they are very close to each other. When I look at my group I don't see a leader but instead friends who share same interests. At the same time it is not a bad thing to have a leader in a group you should be happy because this means that you truly admire a person! I found very interesting your comment and it made me reflect alot!
DeleteIn my opinion,all of these three cartoons represent the idea of non-acceptance and non-individuality.As for example in the first cartoon,it is written "The clique wouldn't accept just anyobdy".This statement may or may not be interpreted as if if somebody wants to be part of a group it has to be just like everybody else,it can't have an individual characteristic (ex. all the "people" in the cartoon have a green parrot and an eye bandage). The second cartoon is quite similar to the first,only that there is a description of a person asking to join it,as if he has to be accepted by the "members".The third cartoon instead,is the one that impressed me the most. This because it describes a group of people that all have "follow me" written on their back, and it seems that none of them realized that they have that written.This made me think of how "dumb" humans can be sometimes,because they are scared that if they show how original they are,then they won't be accepted by anybody ; so they just follow the mass even if it means not having a personality. I have noticed that even in our school there are some groups, but even if there are, every person of each group has an own way of thinking and personality,that is a positive aspect of being part of it,because you can always learn something new by other people.
ReplyDeleteI certainly agree with you about the cartoons! But let's think of them as showing extreme example of sign systems in action... Do people that belong to one group share sign systems? Whether those systems are social (what we wear, even) or linguistic (how we speak)?
Deleteoops I didn't quite finish.. one more... Does sharing these types of signs indicate that we lack personality or any unique qualities?
DeleteTo be completely honest, I don't believe in cliques. Obviously they do exist, but I do not believe that they should. If you are in a clique, then you are deliberately excluding other people from your socialization as a child/adult, whichever age you may be whilst in a clique. I feel that a clique is more of a 'club' idea than a group, because groups do not exclude people when wanting to join, or keep closed ideas or have any secrecy.
ReplyDeleteIn the second picture the boys in the clique say "Hey, we are not a group!", this shows that they understand what they are doing, excluding others and not allowing entrance to anyone for their own reasons. I have definitely witnessed and seen cliques 'shoot down' people, but I still don't think it's morally correct to be part of one, considering we are brought up thinking inclusion brings everyone together, and cliques do nothing but counter that idea completely by promoting exclusion. If someone is made a group leader, they were chosen by the group, but in a clique, there is first a leader without anyone for them to lead for, and the leader then chooses who they want to lead for. The leader chooses its followers, opposed to the followers choosing a leader.
In the third picture, I would say this is extremely accurate but on the terms of a normal friends group. Each friend follows another, but there is no one person who has a say in decisions more than another does. Each person has their own choices to make, and each person will decide what they want to do without the influence of a foreign opinion, being their clique members.
This was very interesting to me, and I must say I have seen this happen many times, and cliques tend to last a long time because the member learn to exclude everyone, and learn to stay with one another but learn to push away everyone and everything else.
I do agree with Gabriel too since cliques exist but they should not. Your opinion about the pictures is great, and it is very similar to what i was thinking when i saw them. I have seen too many groups refusing to accept people only because they are different and his ideas do not interest the group, since they do not like them. I believe that all groups should learn from others. They can learn from this other person things that might slightly change the whole group's points of view, or not. But anyone is important in a group and if an individual who joins the group looks irrelevant, he should be given a chance too, because people are not always liked from the first impression, but after some time spent with members of the group.
DeleteGabriel I have to say I don't agree with you. You see cliques as a way of excluding other people but I believe it's not true. For example, I am a member of a clique or social group. They are my best friends and I spend most of my time with them. This doesn't mean that I exclude the rest of the world and that I frequent only my clique since when I go out to meet my friends I spend the time with many different people, sometimes I don't even talk more than once with the members of my clique. This proves that being part of a clique means only that you found those friends who really understand you and to whom you can always rely on. Secondly, being part of a clique doesn't avoid you from having other friends and consequently excluding others.
DeleteGabriel I agree on some of your points but disagree that cliques "groups" should not exist. In my opinion cliques are not made to be negative but to open a spot/give a chance to the newcomers. I agree with you when you said that its also a way to exclude child/adults from the community, but in the world we live now everywhere you will go in life you will find groups of people which will exclude or have a new member which will be accepted as a new member of the clique.
DeleteI cannot agree with you to the point that cliques should not exist. Cliques must exist. Because there are unique differences and limitations within each and every particular clique, this is what makes up a society or a large group of mass population. Existence of difference among the groups have made it possible to form a balanced society. If the groups does not exist, the community or society will diminish as well.
DeleteIt is not true that all cliques are meant to exclude people. This may happen sometimes because of the difference of interests, but in most of the case the opposite happens. Me myself, is a good example of this. I came from a different society. But now instead of excluding me, the students are accepting me as a member of their group!
As a student I am virtually always in contact with cliques. Dictionary defines cliques as small exclusive group of friends or associates. These groups form due to common interests as drama, music, arts and other hobbies. These interests are considered an example of sign systems since they express a meaning and convey sentiment. The following cartoons show how groups of people that are connected by a common interest adopt a similar physique. They dress alike and consequently present a matching personality. The first cartoon portrays a group associated by the green parrot on the shoulder and the covered eye. The second cartoon has a group of teenagers all dressed alike that exclude the one that is dressed differently from them. Matching physiques in cliques is a strong example of sign system that expresses itself through body language and physical appearance. In some occasions people who do not have a strong personality, and feel more secure by following types of people that seem “right” can form cliques. This is strongly stated in the third cartoon. By the observation of these cartoons we can conclude that signs are formally presented by the use of sign systems such as body language and common interests. Since passion and appearance often underlines the fine difference between people and conjugate their sentimental education.
ReplyDeleteVittoria B.
1 http://www.thefreedictionary.com/clique
I see things the same way as vittoria B. your clique is created by friends that are similar to you and that enojoy doing the same stuff and that have the possibility to have fun togheter even out of the school. It is also very true that cliques today are in touch also virtually all the time by creating groups on computer programs. I think that having a clique shouldn’t be considered a negative thing because we all have one even if you say you don’t. it’s inevitable not to have one becausee the friends you love the most become your clique. Iperfectly agree with you vittoria b.
DeleteVittoria, i think that what you just pointed out here is really interesting and gets straight and clearly to the point. I particularly liked the part in which you said that in some occasions, insecure people who don't have a strong personality might form their own clique to follow other people. Though I think that this could be considered as one of the negative aspects of cliques because, even if hey can share the same feelings and insecurities, these people will never be able to find their own selves and to create their own personality because they will be to busy about thinking on how to do to look as much similar as possible to their "model".
DeleteI find what you both had to say extremely interesting. It is indeed impossible at times to stop cliques from forming. People naturally make friends with the classmates they can share the most experiences and feelings with. These are usually the ones who employ and respond best to the sign systems these individuals are more comfortable with. Such a congregation is advantageous to all members, and can only stimulate and benefit everyone's daily life. It is only when an individual changes to 'belong' to a group that this becomes undesirable. Social crowds should be defined by their individual members, but by no account should individuals be defined by it.
DeleteLet me just say--everyone is doing a great job here! I hope you're liking it as much as I am!
ReplyDeleteI am a teenage girl who lives in a society full of cliques. I believe that kids but also aduts create cliques in order to find an identuty and show everyone what is important to them and what connects them to their group. Every clique uses sign systems to transmit their values, ideas or beliefs. In the world I live, I see examples of different cliques every day. I know a group of teenage boys and girls who are extremely religious. They use as sign systems the way they dress and their life style. This clique refuses to go to parties or do what other friends their age do, because they prefer concentrating on the study of religion and don't want external factors to destract them.Anotrher cliqiue I know is a group of tennis players. They have this sport passion that unites them very strongly. Their sign systems are tournaments they play among themselves and matches they watch on tv united all together cheering for the same player. Cliques should not become arrogant or cruel with each other in society; every clique is unique and special in it's own way. Also, members of a clique should not exclude someone who would like to inter it like it happens in the second cartoon.
ReplyDeleteMatilde, what you just mentioned are some really interesting groups and i found myself wondering about the one you said was made of people who are extremely religious. I think that people who strongly believe in something and who have a very clear idea of what they like and what they don't like are really admirable and an example for us. Though as you said, some of these groups might be too exclusive and might get away from the rest of the society and think only about their own needs and interests. I think that cliques can be a positive thing as long as they are opened to new people and ideas. Cliques should find a way to communicate between them and maybe even a way to have fun and share interests together.
DeleteI was intrigued by your examples of cliques you come across every day, and by your comment which associates groups with identity. It encouraged me think about the generalized American high school we often encounter in television and in films, where groups are much more distinct and people part of the 'nerd group','cheerleaders','Asians' etc wear these labels like solutions to their personalities. This suggests how unyielding society can be, and how prone we are to define ourselves by a single attribute. In my opinion, extreme cliques which dictate every member's lifestyle hinder social diversity and tarnish everyone's uniqueness and individuality.
DeleteI am a teenage girl who lives in a society full of cliques. I believe kids my age but also adults create cliques in order to find an identity in a group and to show what they have in common with each other. In my every day world I am in contact with many different cliques. For example I know a group of boys and girls who are extremely religious both in faith and in practice. They use as sign systems the way they dress (very conservative style), and their life style. The members of this clique never go to parties or do things other kids their age do. They prefer concentrating in the study of their religion and they do not want external forces to distract them. Another clique I know is of a group of tennis players. They feel united by this strong sport passion. The members of this clique use as sign systems their tennis uniforms, or the cheering for the same player during a match. Cliques should not become competitive among each other in the society. Everyone should respect other cliques and know that there are no importance differences. Also, members of a clique should not exclude others like it happens in the second cartoon.
ReplyDeleteI am a teenage girl who lives in a society full of cliques. I believe kids my age but also adults create cliques in order to find an identity in a group and to show what they have in common with each other. In my every day world I am in contact with many different cliques. For example I know a group of boys and girls who are extremely religious both in faith and in practice. They use as sign systems the way they dress (very conservative style), and their life style. The members of this clique never go to parties or do things other kids their age do. They prefer concentrating in the study of their religion and they do not want external forces to distract them. Another clique I know is of a group of tennis players. They feel united by this strong sport passion. The members of this clique use as sign systems their tennis uniforms, or the cheering for the same player during a match. Cliques should not become competitive among each other in the society. Everyone should respect other cliques and know that there are no importance differences. Also, members of a clique should not exclude others like it happens in the second cartoon.
ReplyDeleteToday's society is based on many different cliques, all of them based on their own ideals and preference, including and excluding people which dont have the same things in common of that specific clique. I fully agree with Gabriel and Jonathan since they both say that they do not believe in cliques and that they should not exist, because people should appreciate also different ways of thinking or personalities. I dont believe that exact personalties or qualities would make a perfect clique, diverse personalities would create a better clique.
ReplyDeleteCliques in my opinion are mostly seen in teenagers , this because during the teen age things are seen differently, for example some people might consider 'cool' people which dress in a way or do certain things. Also cliques are made up of people, which have in common certain beliefs, also in religion or certain hobbies. Everyday especially in schools, we can see diverse cliques made up of children and teenagers , all cliques should treat with respect the other people of other cliques without giving them labels since they dont belong to ' their' clique. People should bring respect to one another.
Sofia I agree with you. Cliques should not occur but only when they become exclusive and hurtful to others. It is right cliques are mostly seen in teenager years but not because they might consider people "cool" or something similar. Adolescents face a very important period of their life where most of their character is formed, but because of this transition period from childhood to the adult world the adolescent might face many struggles. One of the most common feelings is incomprehension by their parents and so they seek refuge in people that are facing the same problems, which is why of cliques.
DeleteSofia I am in accordance with your opinion. I only don't agree about what Jonathan and Gabriel said about cliques that should not exist. At our age social groups are fundamental since we need close friends who share our same mentality to whom we can rely on without being afraid of being judged. People will always interact and be friend with other people who have different personalities or ways of thinking but your closest friends will always be the ones who are part of your clique for the simple reason that the lifestyles, mentality and opinions are greatly similar compared to the other peoples'. Furthermore, I agree with your statement about cliques that would be better if people with diverse personality formed the group. Everybody could learn from each other but the personalities shouldn't be too divergent otherwise there could be agreement problems.
DeleteAll the three pictures above resemble groups or cliques. Now what is a clique? The definition of a clique is a coalition whose members associate regularly with each other on the basis of affection and common interest and possess a marked sense of common identity (source: clique-communications.com).
ReplyDeleteThat means to be a member of a clique or a group, one has to be well acquainted with all the members of that group, has to keep in touch with the group on regular basis, and most importantly possess the same interest/goal and identity as each of the members of the group.
From this each of the pictures can be explained. Each of the groups have a common way to represent their difference from other people of the society. Because of this difference, everyone cannot be a member of a every group. I cannot be a member of a group which does not support or represent my values or views. This has been shown in the first two pictures. In the third picture, we see that a group of people, careless of their personal identity, are following the same interest, which is a character of a group.
Groups are almost seen everywhere. In our school, we can bunch of student hanging around together. They can be called groups because they have separate interests. For example, in the lunch hour a few students gather to play basketball. As they have the same interest, slowly a group forms among these students. Similarly, we can see a group of people who like music, a group of people who like to sit and study or a group just consisting of friends. We usually don’t see a Grade 6 student with Grade 12 students in a group. This happens because as there is difference in the age and other factors, this also creates a difference in the interest between a Grade 6 and a Grade 12 student. For which a group cannot be formed this way.
For maintaining a separate identity, almost every group or clique uses a sign system. A sign system may be anything through which we can tell that to which type of group a person belongs to. Many kinds of sign system are prevalent. The most common sign system is the language. In this case the word ‘language’ has a vast significance. It can mean how we speak, how is our appearance, how we behave with each other, etc.
Different kinds of groups have different sign systems. In the second picture, we see the boy in the left side is wearing a glass and has a clipboard with a paper onto it, indicating that he is more into studies, which is also one kind of sign system. The other boys wear the same type of clothing, which is another sign system as well.
The sign systems may origin from the preferences and taste which all the members of a group have in common. For example, if we see two persons, one of them wearing formal clothes and saying ‘Hey there! How are you?’ and another person, wearing baggy jeans and chained necklaces, saying ‘ Yo dawg! How ya doin?’, we can easily tell that these two people are from different communities.
My idea about sign system is that, sign system should exist as well as the groups or cliques. This is because our society, in fact all the societies of the world are made up of groups. These groups are different from each other on various aspects. Actually this differences construct the base of a society. Because of these diversities among the groups, a balanced society is formed.
“A fruit salad is delicious precisely because each fruit maintains its own flavor.”
― Sean Covey
( source: http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/differences )