Pub2: Dangerous Selfless Desires
Stella's
quote, "I couldn't go on believing her story and live with Stanley,"
(Stella, Scene 11) encapsulates the conflict between truth and
self-preservation that is apparent throughout Tennessee Williams' play
"A Streetcar Named Desire." This quote can be translated as an example
of cognitive dissonance, where individuals hold contradictory beliefs or
values, which leads to psychological discomfort. Stella's desire to
maintain her marriage while also acknowledging the truth about her
sister's past and her husband's violent behavior creates a conflict
between the truth and ideals that Stella has.
This sense of
cognitive dissonance can be seen in the political realm as well. In
recent years, political polarization has led to a significant increase
in cognitive dissonance among the public. For example, individuals may
hold strong beliefs about their political party, but also acknowledge
the flaws and contradictions within their party's policies or actions.
This contradiction can create discomfort and tension, leading
individuals to ignore or rationalize these discrepancies to maintain
their beliefs and sense of identity.
Moreover, Stella's decision
to choose self-preservation over truth can be connected to the broader
sociological concept of group think. Group think is a practice where
individuals within a group prioritize harmony and conformity over
critical thinking and individual beliefs. In the play, Stella's desire
to maintain her marriage and social status within her community creates a
sense of group thinking that leads her to ignore the truth about her
husband and sister.
Similarly, group thinking can be seen in
society, where individuals prioritize group identity and conformity over
individual values and beliefs. This can lead to a lack of critical
thinking and acceptance of harmful societal norms, such as racism or
sexism. As psychologist Irving Janis notes, "A deterioration of mental
efficiency, reality testing, and moral judgment that results from
in-group pressures.”
In conclusion, Stella's quote from "A
Streetcar Named Desire" highlights the conflict between truth and
self-preservation that can lead to cognitive dissonance, group think,
and harmful social norms. This conflict can be seen in various realms,
including politics, current events, psychology, and sociology. By
understanding the impact of cognitive dissonance and group think on
individual and societal decision-making, we will be able to create a
more critical but fair society.
Williams, Tennessee. A Streetcar Named Desire.(1947)
Janis, I. L. Victims of group think (1972). https://archive.org/details/janis_groupthink/page/n5/mode/2up?q=undermine https://ethicsunwrapped.utexas.edu/glossary/groupthink
Kunda, Z. Psychological Bulletin (1990), 108(3), 480-498. https://fbaum.unc.edu/teaching/articles/Psych-Bulletin-1990-Kunda.pdf