1. The Warren Harding error reveals the dark-side of 'thin-slicing'--when our instincts betray us and our rapid cognition goes awry. Looking at the example of that 1920 presidency, can we say that this type of error is happening today in political elections? Do you think this explains why there has never been a black or female president?
** Note- this book was written in 2005. Since we have seen a black president.... consider what may have changed in society to allow for that. What about why we still haven't seen a female?
Reminders for Responses
- Responses should be at least 5-7 sentences
- Do not simply say "I agree with Susie" or "I hadn't thought of it that way"-- include examples from your own experience and/or hyperlink us to other articles or websites that also pertain to these questions
- Respond to this question before midnight on 10/23/12
- All late posts will be deducted 1 point per day late
I think it would be too general of a statement to say that we choose our president by his appearance or voice. Some people may have more respect for how some presidential candidates present themselves. If Obama showed up to the debate in sweatpants and had the best ideas, no one would know because he is black and his outfit would not be acceptable for a president. Today I think most people are able to look past appearances and morals and really listen to what the ideas of the presidents are, black or white. This is why we have a black president today, because the majority of the USA is starting to accept different races.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the Warren Harding error still lives on today but with a lot less strengths. I believe that our impressions and subconscious have been drastically changed from the bombardment of strong impressions of blacks and females in the media showing these groups in a positive way. I think in the time of Harding in the 20s the media their too played a strong roll in strengthening our impression of a white strong "roman" type of person to be an excellent choice for a leader of a country or corporation.
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with Jessie on this topic. I believe that the Warren Harding error that occurred in the 1920 election is not happening in political elections today. As you have stated this book was written in 2005, a time when probably American's views on female or black Presidents were something no one had even thought about. But about four years ago, a black President was elected. I believe ever since the 2008 election, people have been able to look beyond the color of a person's skin, even the gender of a person because it has been proven that any human being can play the same role as a white male. Females and other races were often looked down upon to hold any high authority. I believe that society is starting to feel that any person is fit to hold office as long as the individual agrees with what the candidate is presenting and has to offer.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Natalie has to say about the Warren Harding error, and how it is not happening in political elections today. Back when this book was written, the idea of a black, or female president was not likely. However, when Barrack Obama was elected as President of the United States, it changed many American's idea of a leader. I also agree with Natalie, I believe that when President Obama was elected, most Americans were able to look past his skin color, and see him for the ideas he had planned for our country. Along with this, I believe it goes hand in hand with the idea of a female president. I think at first many people would be skeptical about it, and think that a female candidate would not have as big of an input as a male candidate. However, I think that over time this would change, just like how our country changed to accepting the first black man as President. In conclusion, I agree with Natalie on the idea that most Americans are starting to accept the fact that any person, white or black, male or female, is just as equip for a leadership role, especially presidency. If that person has strong beliefs and ideas for our countries, that Americans believe in, and agree with than that person can be elected by the people.
ReplyDeleteI definitely feel that errors such as the ones that occurred in the Warren Harding election take place today. America having never elected a women president is a perfect example of negative thin-slicing. Many people subconsciously or consciously discriminate against women and hold low expectations for them, especially when it comes to holding an important role in society. Currently having a black president its clear to see that negative thin-slicing has decreased but I feel it is still present. My theory as to why we have a black president but not a woman president relates back to the whole gender role in society. Yes, President Obama may me African American, but he is still a man, which makes it easier for people to adjust to rather than nominating a woman.
ReplyDeleteI believe that people nowadays are a lot more open to having a black or female president than they were years ago. People have come to a realization that race does not matter when it comes to intelligence or leadership skills. When most people hear the word “president,” they do not automatically think “white”. The characteristics people associate with a president are confidence, intelligence, and charisma. There still is somewhat of a stereotype present in society that women cannot endure the same amount of pressure as men. Many people do believe women would be unfit to be president because they are too emotional or are not as intelligent as men. This comes from the stereotype of centuries ago that “a woman’s place is in the home.” Hopefully once people come to a realization that we are in the 21st century and that women are capable of bringing about the same amount of success in politics, there will be a female running this country.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree with Lauren's idea. I think we, as a nation, are starting to overcome the Harding error because we can look past the stereotypes and see people for who they are. I believe that the issue of race has been a bigger issue lately when you consider things like if race should matter for colleges. At the same time, though, I feel women aren't getting that same attention because on paper all of our rights are the same as men. The difference is that women's stereotypes still haven't received the same kind of change. People still see the women as the homey-types and that is what has to change for a woman to become president.
ReplyDeleteNegative thin-slicing such as the one that took place when Warren Harding was elected president definitely takes place today but to a much less extent. First and foremost, politics in general seems a bit exaggerated. Congress ultimately makes most decisions for the country, the president just serves as a type of head master for them. Aside from that, in the 2012 election two males are running for president. Skin color does not seem to be as much of an issue as it used to be due to the fact that people have grown to see people for who they really are. As far as negative thin-slicing for females and males, I think its' common. To this day, no women has ever run for president. Some will say that some wanted to but no one ever fully took a stand. As a country, we are so used to seeing males run all types of things such as businesses and political position. It is as if we have all gotten so used to that that some people could not picture it any other way. As we talked about in class today, Warren Harding had a very "official" look to him. Some could argue that women will never look that way. We have grown up in a society where men always seem to be a little bit more ahead. So yes, negative thin-slicing takes place 100% with males vs. females in politics.
ReplyDeleteThe dark side of “thin slicing” can be very risky to a point that we do not even notice we are doing such a thing. The Warren Harding error is when we unconsciously thin slice with an automatic judgment of a person from what we know and are used to. I definitely think that this type of error is happening today in political elections. The two candidates are Romney and Obama, one of which is white and one who is of color. Now with that, people of color could judge Obama a certain way because of their similarity. The same is happening with white Americans judging Romney on his appearance. I think that this error is wrong because some, not all, people are just judging from what they see and not what they know about the candidate. This error explains so much about why there had never been a black president (until now) or a female president. The majority of the U.S are white Americans which is why more of the voting could go towards someone who is educated, good-looking, and also of their color. I believe that we have never had a female president because most people do not view females with a prestige career category. Males are particularly associated with being entrepreneurs, CEO’s and high class business owners. Women are not as much associated with these things because woman need to fulfill the “gender role” in society, and being president would not be fulfilling that duty of the norms we are used to. But now that we have had a black president, I feel like it would be easier to adjust to a woman in office because the norms have been starting to break down in this area.
ReplyDeleteThe dark side of thin slicing most definitely still occur today with things like the presidential election. Much earlier on in time seeing a black male or female in any type of government was very rare because of the discrimination back then and the stereotypes. They do still exist today but to a much lesser extent than in the past because now people are much less prejudice towards blacks and they are nothing different than whites. Because of the huge diversity in the world there are a lot of black people who might feel its easier to relate to other blacks who have a position in government or who are running for president, for example, Obama. But I think now most people are not voting for the president who looks better, or dresses nicer but for the president who believes in the same idea that person might believe in. Yes, there probably were some people who might of not voted for Obama because he was black but that is being very discriminatory and they are experiencing the very dark side of thin slicing. Same thing with there never being a women president, people still have the idea that men are superior to women and that women could never handle a job like that and therefore would not vote for a women running for president.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Gabby, thin slicing still occurs today especially in the elections. I feel like older people are more likely to vote for Romney because he is white rather than Obama, based on the time period they were raised, and that whites were superior to blacks. An existing stereo type is that women are not as powerful as men, are to emotional, an not as intelligent. Older people are used to the women staying home and taking care of the family. Which is why a women wont be voted as president anytime soon. People shouldn't be judged based on appearance, you do not know what they are capable of. I think today people were willing to have change and gave Obama a chance. Some people listen to what the ideas of the presidents and not let the fact they are black or white influence their opinion on them. Hense why we have a black president because most of America is more accepting. Another example other than in elections where thin slicing is avoided is the show "The Voice", all the judges backs are turned and judge the singer based on how they sing, obviously. But this reduces the stereotypes and doesn't influence the judges to say yes or no because of what they wear or look like.
ReplyDeleteThe Dark side of thin-slicing most certainly occurs today in society especially with elections. Older people grew up in a different era where it was acceptable to be racist and make racial slurs whereas today, that is unacceptable. That being said, I feel that older people will not vote for Obama primarily because of his skin color. Of course, this shouldn't be happening, but it is and it is not stoppable because that was their life style. People shouldn't be judged on their skin color or anything for that matter. The Dark side of thin slicing though, is not as extreme has the harding error because again, times have changed. Adults are raising their children to do what they want and believe what they want. It is clear that most Americans, or just people in general, are becoming more accepting with people and thus that is why the first Black first lady is in the White house and the first black President is in office.
ReplyDeleteI think the Warren Harding error still exists in politics today. I think we continue to judge Obama and Romney based on their appearances. Especially during the presidential debates, I feel that we judge Romney and Obama based off of how they physically present themselves. If they were to dress poorly, it would change our view on them. I also think people judge Obama or Romney right away based off of their political party they support. If someone is Democratic, they can right away be against Romney, or if someone is republican they can be quick to be against Obama without seeing where each of them truly stand. The dark side of thin slicing has definitely decreased dramatically due to the progress in politics. Having a black president is something that could not have even been imagined during the Warren Harding error. The world has grown to accept people's skin colors and the dark side of thin slicing continues to decrease, but there are still aspects of what is considered acceptable in politics.
ReplyDeleteSorry I'm late!
ReplyDeleteI think the dark side of thing slicing is still evident in politics today. While watching the debates on TV many people still look for faults in the candidates and favor the candidate that looks and presents themselves as a better president. As for having a black president, I think it is because our views have changed and it is now more acceptable to some people unlike it was in the past. Women still have the difficulty of overcoming the thin-slicing but in a few years it will be gone and we will look back on it just as we are now with having a black president.
I also agree that errors such as the ones that took place in the Warren Harding election occur today. I feel that today, too many people, whether they realize it or not, thin slice. For example, the fact that a woman has never been in office can easily be the result of thing slicing. Men may feel that women are not capable of running a country and that it is a man's job. However, this may change as men begin to realize that women do make fantastic leaders.
ReplyDelete