A. Beckingham
Psychology
Chatelech Secondary School
12 Angry Men (1957) Film Assignment
Instructions:
1. Find five (5) different examples of psychological phenomenon in the film
 You may choose from the list below and/or use another phenomenon with approval
2. Clearly describe the example including relevant quotations and descriptions of what was
said/done and how it was said/done
 This description should be clear about the details that relate to the psychological
phenomenon
3. Explain in a clear paragraph why the given example is representative of the particular
phenomenon you chose
 Your explanation should show that you understand what the psychological
phenomenon is and why the example is a good representation.
 Your explanation should also state any other psychological phenomenon that you
think the example represents.
Example:
There is a moment in the film when one of the jurors is giving his reasons for why he
thought the defendant was guilty. The juror said, “It’s hard to put into words. I just think he’s
guilty. I thought it was obvious from the word go. I mean, nobody proved otherwise.” (TAM, 13:1413:26) The section of this quotation that I think is most significant is, “I thought it was obvious
from the word go.” The fact that this juror thought the defendant was guilty from the very first
moment of the trial makes this a good example of the social psychological phenomenon of first
impression.
First impressions are events where, “one person first encounters another person and forms
a mental image of that person” (Wikipedia, “First Impressions”, Jan 10, 2016). First impressions
are subjective assessments of an individual based on physical traits – such as appearance, race,
dress, posture, etc. – and personal prejudice and bias. It is a type of cognitive shortcut where an
assessment is made in an instant based on available information and the observer’s experiences in
the past. First impressions are also very stable once they are formed (Wikipedia, “First
Impressions”, Jan 10 2016). It is safe to say that the first impression that the juror formed was a
negative one and we see in the film that it took strong persuasion for that juror to change his
mind.




Two paragraphs: 1) description of the event; and, 2) analysis of the event
Sources are referenced clearly using (parentheses) immediately following the quoted text
or the idea that was not my own
Analysis focused on one phenomenon but mentioned others (prejudice, bias, persuasion)
Analysis is tied back to the example and the film
List of potential phenomenon:




Conformity
First impression
Stereotype
Prejudice




Persuasion
In group/Out group
Motivation
Bystander effect


Nature vs. Nurture
debate
Fundamental
attribution error
A. Beckingham
Psychology
Chatelech Secondary School