Kanter’s Numbers: Minorities and Majorities
Questions Week:
Paper instructions:
Read Kanter’s Numbers: Minorities and Majorities. Answer the following questions in one paragraph each. Be prepared to submit your answers to the faculty member during Unit One.
a. Building upon Georg Simmel, Kanter discusses the significance of numbers for one’s perceptions of others within the group. List and explain the different types of groups she discusses. How do the dynamics of each group differ?
b. Kanter argues that when a group is skewed, certain perceptual tendencies result. What are those tendencies? How does she explain each?
c. What performance pressures do tokens experience as a result of these perceptual tendencies? How do tokens respond to those performance pressures?
d. Can you think of situations in which you were a member of a skewed group? Reflect on your experience (as a dominant or a token). Do Kanter’s ideas adequately capture your experience, or are additional concepts needed? Why?
To show an understanding for a designated audience.
To demonstrate narrative and descriptive techniques.
To incorporate dialogue (if appropriate). Remember rules to writing successful dialog:
https://www.writing-world.com/fiction/dialogue.shtml
To improve writing skills at ALL stages of the writing process.