Experimental Studies in the Social Climates of Groups

Synopsis

Two boys in workshop sawing wood while another boy mixes paint under adult supervision. In background is blackboard with “Charley” written on it in chalk. Five boys, one in overalls and the other in typical fifties garb at work in the workshop using saws and paint with a blackboard in the background. Intertitle containing keywords “autocracy,” “aggression,” “hostility,” “scapegoats” and “apathy” in a psychological context. Intertitle: “The Secret Agents” Boys sitting around in a room with “The Bar of Justice” written on the makeshift burlap wall behind them. Intertitle: “Authority leaves no place for discussion and group voting: the leader begins directing immediately. Obedience is prompt.” Intertitle: “Work has disintegrated into restless activity.” Intertitle: “ ‘He’s coming back’. Kim acts as if he has been working.” sign painted in child’s handwriting “Aw and Order / Patrol” Intertitle: “Bill keeps on working. restless gunplay, from behind burlap walls, occupies the others.” Intertitle: “Anarchic freedom can also lead to boredom!” Intertitle: “ ‘I wish there was something to do’.” Intertitle: “From Democracy to Autocracy.” Intertitle: “Detailed orders make the boys dependent on the autocrat for direction. Free conversation has ceased.” Intertitle: “Boredom and looking away are tending to replace work interest.” Two boys talking while two other carry on with their work. One boy much taller than the other listening to the smaller boy. Behind them on a burlap wall is…

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Running time

40 minutes

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0886_Experimental_Studies_in_the_Social_Climates_of_Groups_21_16_46_00

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