Cool Hand Luke is a 1967 film centered around a prisoner that refuses to comply with the orders given to him in jail, and thus refuses to conform to the standards of behaviour this institution has attempted to impose upon him. This inmates rebellious character and his many tribulations can serve to compare him to the others. An individual’s behaviour can influence another’s through conformity and rebellion; however, the former comes without consequence and the latter cruel and inhumane punishment. This paper will examine how the social psychological themes of obedience to authority, conformity, and non-conformity in Cool Hand Luke demonstrate encouragement of conformity and the silencing of dissenters. Obedience to authority is a theme that
…show more content…
Despite the fact that the fight is quickly escalating and Luke is outmatched by his opponent, others, including the guards and the prisoners, fail to intervene. This situation can be explained by a number of social psychological perspectives. To start, the conformity shown by these individuals watching the situation happen regardless of the possibility of danger is classically explained by the “Bystander Effect”. This theory essentially argues that the more people there are in a situation the less likely one is to help. It goes on to explain that this is because individuals look to others for cues on what to do and thus if others are not treating the situation as urgent or seeing the person as in need of assistance then they will fail to do so as well. Role theory can go on to explain why the other prisoners did not get involved in the situation. This theory essentially explains that we act differently depending on the role we are enacted and depending on the given situation. Likewise, in identity control theory the actor uses his identity to gain a more comprehensive understanding of what to do in a particular situation. This is in accordance with the social norm of what it means to be a prisoner as both the atmosphere and the persons within this institution as seen as …show more content…
Throughout the film, the main character Luke demonstrates this behaviour. In the premier scene of the film, the word “Violation” is shown on the screen. It is revealed to the audience that the word is on a parking meter and that Luke is being arrested for cutting their heads off. This act is sentenced to two years in jail, as he is charged with “destroying municipal property under the influence of alcohol”. Prior to being sentenced to jail, Luke was known as a decorated war veteran. One can examine Luke’s transition from war-veteran to the criminal through the lenses of role theory and instrumental conditionign. In this case, since Luke chooses to rebel against the social norms prescribed to him from society regarding following the law, he must face the repercussions; a lengthy jail sentence which serves to weaken his unlawful behaviour. When Luke followed his role as a “Sergeant” he was rewarded with being granted titles such as “hero” and being decorated with medals; however, by breaking the law he rejected his role as a “law abiding citizen” he is punished by being thrown into jail, causing him to transition into yet another role;
Despite the fact that the fight is quickly escalating and Luke is outmatched by his opponent, others, including the guards and the prisoners, fail to intervene. This situation can be explained by a number of social psychological perspectives. To start, the conformity shown by these individuals watching the situation happen regardless of the possibility of danger is classically explained by the “Bystander Effect”. This theory essentially argues that the more people there are in a situation the less likely one is to help. It goes on to explain that this is because individuals look to others for cues on what to do and thus if others are not treating the situation as urgent or seeing the person as in need of assistance then they will fail to do so as well. Role theory can go on to explain why the other prisoners did not get involved in the situation. This theory essentially explains that we act differently depending on the role we are enacted and depending on the given situation. Likewise, in identity control theory the actor uses his identity to gain a more comprehensive understanding of what to do in a particular situation. This is in accordance with the social norm of what it means to be a prisoner as both the atmosphere and the persons within this institution as seen as …show more content…
Throughout the film, the main character Luke demonstrates this behaviour. In the premier scene of the film, the word “Violation” is shown on the screen. It is revealed to the audience that the word is on a parking meter and that Luke is being arrested for cutting their heads off. This act is sentenced to two years in jail, as he is charged with “destroying municipal property under the influence of alcohol”. Prior to being sentenced to jail, Luke was known as a decorated war veteran. One can examine Luke’s transition from war-veteran to the criminal through the lenses of role theory and instrumental conditionign. In this case, since Luke chooses to rebel against the social norms prescribed to him from society regarding following the law, he must face the repercussions; a lengthy jail sentence which serves to weaken his unlawful behaviour. When Luke followed his role as a “Sergeant” he was rewarded with being granted titles such as “hero” and being decorated with medals; however, by breaking the law he rejected his role as a “law abiding citizen” he is punished by being thrown into jail, causing him to transition into yet another role;