Aristotle's Rhetoric and Group Dynamics
Aristotle’s Rhetoric has great applicability to status within decision-making groups. Ethos is not related solely to the individual and his/her attainment of status within the group. It is also related to the norms established within the group. To the degree that an individual successfully operates and leads to promote and strengthen group-sanctioned norm, his/her status may well be enhanced.
Logos is also related to the norms, as well as the task reality of the group. For a work group, the task or central mission is the defining motivator that drives the group toward attainment. This is the logos of the group, and to the degree that individuals within the group can articulate, integrate and demonstrate this logos in their actions, the individual’s and the group’s success is enhanced.
Anderson et.al. (2001) describe status within face-to-face groups as involving prominence, respect, and influence. One key aspect of this status is that it is contextual and defined with reference to the groups and its norms. Each individual, through their behaviors and execution (or lack of execution) of the norms, evokes a distinctive response from the others. Thus Aristotle’s kairos is relevant – the appropriateness of conformity to norms or of deviance determines the individual’s status.
Pathos – or the symbiotic intragroup dynamics influence the stability of norms and status of individuals. When pathetic dynamics are overwhelmingly negative, norms may be abandoned simply to avoid personal insult and injury.
Works Cited
Anderson, C., John, O.P., Keltner, D. & Kring, A.M. (2001) Who Attains Social Status? Effects of Personality and Physical Attractiveness in Social Groups. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 0022-3514. Vol. 81, Issue 1
Logos is also related to the norms, as well as the task reality of the group. For a work group, the task or central mission is the defining motivator that drives the group toward attainment. This is the logos of the group, and to the degree that individuals within the group can articulate, integrate and demonstrate this logos in their actions, the individual’s and the group’s success is enhanced.
Anderson et.al. (2001) describe status within face-to-face groups as involving prominence, respect, and influence. One key aspect of this status is that it is contextual and defined with reference to the groups and its norms. Each individual, through their behaviors and execution (or lack of execution) of the norms, evokes a distinctive response from the others. Thus Aristotle’s kairos is relevant – the appropriateness of conformity to norms or of deviance determines the individual’s status.
Pathos – or the symbiotic intragroup dynamics influence the stability of norms and status of individuals. When pathetic dynamics are overwhelmingly negative, norms may be abandoned simply to avoid personal insult and injury.
Works Cited
Anderson, C., John, O.P., Keltner, D. & Kring, A.M. (2001) Who Attains Social Status? Effects of Personality and Physical Attractiveness in Social Groups. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 0022-3514. Vol. 81, Issue 1
Comments