Influencing+Interactions+Part+2

The need of affiliation sometimes can help meet the desire of one's need for support, approval and friendship. Festinger (1954) identified that individuals that belong to a group have the opportunity to fill the needs of Social Comparison (comparing your own actions, feelings, opinions, or abilities with others). Social comparison can also be a way to reflect the desire for self protection or self-enhancements.
 * The Influences of a Group on a Individual**

In the wake of a life-changing event, it is important to take a moment and take a self-assessment of your life and consider how he or she will approach the future. German philosopher, Fridechrich Nietzsche said, “//He who has a why to live can bear almost any how//.” As with the character of Annie; she dealt with the concept of coping with the recent demise of her husband John, which is a normal process of grieving. The women of the Women ‘s Institute, especially her dear friend Chris, helped Annie to accomplish the following: (1) accept the reality of the loss of her husband; (2) adjust to a new and changing lifestyle because of her lost; and (3) take reevaluation of her current situation and try to find way to move forward.

//Out of crisis, strength emerges. From agony and despair involving every// //fibre of spirit and being, it is humanly possible to rebuild courage and vigour.// - Rosemary Blackmon

As portrayed by the character Ruth, she exhibits downward comparison (comparing herself with this other woman) when she found out that her husband was having a affair and was able to finally confront him and this other woman in the restaurant. As a member of Knapley Women’s Institute, Ruth felt accepted and found the calendar idea to be a powerful way to form a level of communication (since her and Eddie were not communicating). Belonging a group can lead an individual to block out mundane intrusions and give time, thought and consideration to things that are important, and gain perspective.

Individuals tend to associate with others whose attitudes and values are similar to their own. Influences can be identified as the ability to sway an individual's or group thoughts, beliefs or actions. As portrayed in //Calendar Girls//, Chris persuades Annie and fellow women of the WI to pose nude for a calendar fundraiser for Leukemia Research.
 * The Influence of a Individual on a Group**

In this case, one can come to the conclusion that the effectiveness of group sanctions also depends on the importance of a group. The more important the group membership or cause is to the individual, the more the individual will be influenced by other members. The risk of being excluded from a group can be a threat to our sense of personal identity (Crano, 2000).

To consider the topic of the influence of a subgroup on an individual when relating to the characters in the movie, you have to look at the overall group influences that were associated with the Knapley Women’s Institute. They are listed as follow:
 * The Influence of a Subgroup on a Individual**

__Characters and Their Roles__ Chris: The driving force (persuader) of the Knapley Women’s Institute for the women to pose nude for the calendar. Annie: Chris's best friend and John's wife. Cora: Divorced single mother and shop owner. She is the official organist for the Knapley Women Institute. Jessie: Retired teacher. Celia: Mayor’s wife. Ruth: Carpet’s dealer wife. Marie: Chair of the local chapter of Knapley Women’s Institute. Lawrence: John’s Clarke nurse & photographer of the calendar. Rod: Florist & Chris’s husband. John: Annie’s husband. Eddie: Ruth’s husband. Jem: Rod and Chris’s son. Richard: Jessie’s husband. Maya: Cora’s daughter. Gaz: Jem’s friend. Brenda: National Chapter President of the Women’s Institute. Danny: American Director. Jay Leno: Appeared as himself. Anthrax: Appeared as themselves (heavy metal group). Other characters: Kathy, May, Truday, Julia and Jenny.

__Group Sanctions__ As stated in Johnson & Johnson (2003, pg 391), “communicating what you want involves ownership of your interest by making personal statements that describe your wants and goals.” Honest communication is vital and considered to be the key ingredient of all successful groups. Examples are Ruth confronting Eddie about his actions; and Chris promoting the calendar to the entire W.I.

The women of the Knapley Women’s Institute felt completely uncomfortable when approached by the idea that they would be posing nude for the upcoming calendar fundraising event. Through the persuasion of Chris and her determination and coercive abilities, the women conform to the concept of the charitable cause and idea that they (as a group) will be supporting one of their fellow group members and friends. Chris displayed a form of referent power as viewed as a character in the movie //Calendar Girls//. She was able to “conform” the idea that she was the “go to” person or the person that was in charge in process and overall direction of the calendar. Individuals that are identified of showing referent power in a group are individuals that are respected and trusted.

__Role parameter__ Once Marie failed to approve Knapley Women’s Institute request to pose nude for the calendar; Chris and Annie decided to travel to London and meet with Brenda to make their request at the National Congress meeting. When making her request, Annie became so overwhelmed with emotions that she was lost of words. Chris took upon herself to intervene and speak on Annies behalf, and for the cause. Listening is a critical when a speaker is addressing a crowd. Until the audience is able to understand the meaning of the message or request, it can be clearly be misunderstood and lost in the process. When Chris approached the podium, she was able to identify and captivate the audience attention. It was not only what Chris was saying when she was making the request for the approval of the calendar- it was how she said it and the tone of her voice.

__Role overload__ Chris behavior becomes unacceptable in the eyes of Annie, her son and especially her husband Rod. She becomes so involved and overwhelmed with the overall process of the development of this calendar that she fails to realize the she was neglecting her family as well as their family floral business. Family, as a group is important to recognize. When in the role of caregiver (as the character Annie did in Calendar Girls), it is important to recognize everyone's needs, including healing. Sometimes when we have a strong opinion or are extremely committed to a cause or event- it is possible to lose sight of priorities. Never loose sight of what really matters.