Identity and Group Think

Initially this group will be scheduled every two weeks at 4:00 pm-5:30 pm (CST) at Avoca Coffee on Magnolia, until we can gauge consistent attendance and participation, with the intention of conducting weekly meetings.
We will discuss the following clips:
Asch Conformity Experiment
The LIE about who YOU are - A WARNING…
Avoca Coffee on 1311 W Magnolia Ave, Fort Worth, TX.
I will be wearing a purple and orange beanie.
The format of the group will consistently follow this pattern:

1. Settle in and start within first 10 minutes.
2. Review Ground Rules, Expectations and Weekly Topic (5-10 minutes)
3. Ice-breaker (will change every week) (10-20 minutes)
4. Main Topic of Discussion (45-60 minutes)
5. Closing Thoughts (10 minute)

The intention for "Blind Spots" is to intentionally discuss our own and society's various mental, emotional, ethical and moral boundaries and blind spots. These are by definition, emotionally charged topics, which is the very point.
The intention of this group is to learn how to better communicate and coincide with those you may not agree with or understand.
Blind Spots is intended to be a place were we can figure out how to better understand those we instinctively call the enemy.

Ground rules:

1. One person will speak at a time.
2. Critical thought and objection are both welcome, however be sure to challenge the content and not the personality.
3. When challenging another’s position, it is encouraged that you question from a place of “trying to understand the other individual’s position”, instead of intending on proving your point or theirs wrong through your questioning.

4)In the event discussion gets heated and volatile between two individuals or factions, the discussion will be halted, followed by taking the next 5 to 10 minutes, to use the remaining parts of the group to break down what just occurred and where communication broke down.

Ice Breaker

Write down on an index card, 5 bullet points of how you identify as a person (do not write your name on the card.)

1. What were the main points of the Asch Experiment?
2. How does the desire to fit in or not make waves, ensure compliance?
3. Have you ever found yourself in the cross hairs due to having a radically different view than everyone else?
4. Why is it common for someone who points out a problem, to be blamed for said problem despite not causing it?
5. How do you/we categorize individuals to make your life easier/simpler?
6. Is categorizing/labeling a good thing?
7. How does categorizing/labeling prove useful?
8. When does categorizing/labeling prove damaging?
9. What areas do you/we as a society identify?
10. What instinctively causes you/others to feel their identity is threatened?
11. How can identifying with a group lead to blind dogmatic thinking?
12. Why is it dangerous when people forget their beliefs aren’t necessarily objective fact/reality?
13. What are the benefits of comparison?
14. How does comparison make you feel?
15. How does comparison by its very nature, ensure someone is “less than?”