This episode of Gilmore Girls takes place at a regular town meeting. Taylor Doose (Michael Winters), is in charge of running town meetings, and in this particular episode brings the relationship of Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham) and Luke Danes (Scott Paterson) to the attention of the congregation. The conditions of these meetings promote high cohesiveness on the town’s part, makes group problem solving a unified process and is also a complex undertaking.
The viewer observes that in accordance with the Group Think Theory, the town meetings reveal the assembly as being a problem-solving group. They express great cohesiveness in trying to solve this issue for the betterment of the town. While concurrence seeking, Taylor uses past examples to gain the town’s awareness of the severity of this issue. Their homogeneity is that they wish not to have the same conflict in which had occurred 10 years ago with Fay Wellington and Art Brush. This dilemma was said to have affected the town’s economy, as well as the unification of the town as a whole. Although Luke tries to express how irrational the towns’ thinking is, Taylor acts as a self-appointed mindguard by not allowing Luke to convey his side of the argument to the group.
Internal and external stress is put on Luke and Lorelai. They are at the beginning of their relationship and by the town expressing their concern for their relationship puts incredible amounts of stress on them. At the end of the clip, it is also apparent that Luke, after several attempts end the argument, decides that it would be best to put the issue to rest. He was pressured toward uniformity in the sense that this issue would not be resolved until a decision on how to handle it was met. This is when Luke gives his word that if the relationship does not work out that he will move out of town.
The towns people use collective rationalization by thinking this is the best way in which to handle the situation, while not observing what would happen if the breakup were to occur. Although they would keep the Dragonfly Inn, they would lose Luke’s Diner, which those who watch the show would know, is a staple in Stars Hallow. Perhaps if the towns people were asked outside of the meeting their thoughts on Luke and Lorelai’s relationship, they would have been supportive. However, since they were at the meeting when the issue was discussed, they adhered to affiliative constraints and more than likely did not select the best alternative in their decision making process. Thus, this clip of Gilmore Girls expresses how the group think can potentially lead to flawed decision making.
4 comments:
The theory of Group think is most definitely present in this clip from an episode of Gilmore Girls. For those who regularly watch they show they know that the town of Stars Hollow is a very small, tight-knit community, and thus a highly cohesive group. This cohesiveness is reflected greatly in the discussion that takes place at the town meeting.
Besides group cohesiveness the town also exemplifies other antecedent conditions of Groupthink. The group has a lack of impartial leadership because Taylor, the man leading the meeting, obviously has a personal agenda in the matter. He is worried that if Luke and Lorelei’s relationship ends it will affect the economy of the town (in which he owns a business). The group also seems to lack a decision-making procedure. Instead of going about the process of making a decision in a formal matter people are just shouting their opinions out and Taylor seems to be the only one with an actual opportunity to speak.
Finally the group has a belief in the inherent morality of the group. All the town members want what is best for the town. Their intentions are good, but unfortunately they are hurting Luke and Lorelei in the process.
Groupthink is definitely evident in this clip because the leader, Taylor Doose, is taking charge of the conversation and forcing the group (the audience at the town meeting) to conform to his message and agree with it. He does this by explaining his message and barely letting the people think. Furthermore, he provides examples of the past that are not relevant but sound good in the eyes of the audience in order to convince them that what he wants them to do is best to avoid a repeat of the past. You can see the groupthink at one point because one of the audience members says, “He’s probably right.” This is evidence of groupthink because the member of the group is just agreeing with what the leader says blindly because he fears that he would be ostracized by the group if he does not conform to the group’s beliefs.
Sarah and Ryan are quite right to point out several additional antecedent conditions and symptoms, such as lack of impartial leadership, and audiences' self-censorship.
In fact, Gilmore self-censored herself too by saying "maybe he has a point." That's why she didn't really speak up during the whole meeting.
Also, Taylor's self-appointed mindguard role is exemplified clearly when a female audience pointed out that Taylor might be "over-reacting."
All in all, this is a good illustration of groupthink.
Group think is definitely a major part of the town of Stars Hollow. Taylor always finds ways to get the town to follow his rigid ideas during town meetings. This time is different because, usually, Lorelai or Luke speaks out against Taylor.
Taylor contributes to group think because he is never willing to take the ideas of others. He discourages others from sharing their ideas. He is the cornerstone of group think in Gilmore Girls.
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