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Social Power

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According to political scientist Robert A. Dahl, power is a defined trait of society; “that some people have more power than others is one of the most palpable facts of human existence” (Dahl 201). It is an inevitable characteristic that is encountered and observed daily. We see simple instances every day such as a manager overseeing an employee or a policeman directing traffic. These dynamics are a way of life or social order that usually go without questioning.

Through power, society is divided into social tiers. Forms of this social hierarchy have evolved through human nature’s desire for authority when given the opportunity. Psychologist Philip Zimbardo comments on this power opportunity by explaining that “it’s not that we put bad apples in a good barrel. We put good apples in a bad barrel. The barrel corrupts anything it touches” (Mastroianni 240). Given the opportunity or situation, power alters an individual’s actions and behaviors, therefore shaping the dynamics of society.

Additionally, the social hierarchy of power can be explored through race. Race is often one of the first noticed trait that separates levels of power. This is becoming increasingly prevalent as media covers more black men shot and killed by white policemen. Society views young black men, especially when hooded, as a potential threat over the majority of races. White supremacy appears through race not only in the physical world but in virtual worlds, such as Second Life. In Second Life, the appearance of skin color renders a quick response from other users, usually racist remarks and even unfriending. This prejudice emerge almost automatically by many people in society, forming an unavoidable social order. Due to inequality between races and power’s influence of human nature, society has developed a multi-layer system of power where white resides above black and those who have the opportunity to seize power often will do so relentlessly.
 

This page has paths:

  1. Power Dwayne Dixon

Contents of this path:

  1. Black Twitter's Power in Media
  2. Social Shaping through Nigerian Cinemas
  3. Skins in Second Life
  4. Stanford Prison Experiment
  5. Abu Ghraib

This page has tags:

  1. The Second Life Self Kayla McCoy
  2. Second Life Chloe Lewis
  3. George Mastroianni Anna Quinn
  4. Robert Dahl Anna Quinn
  5. Anna Quinn, Author Anna Quinn
  6. Race Anna Quinn
  7. Power Dynamics Anna Quinn

Contents of this tag:

  1. How the Real Influences Online Self
  2. How the Real and Virtual Contribute to Self Identity
  3. Definition of Self
  4. What Is Self?
  5. Depiction of Muslims as Terrorists
  6. Technology and the Black Experience