Just a few days ago, as my favorite television programme went into a commercial break, I was so tempted to switch to another channel when an advertisement caught my attention and stopped me from channel surfing. After watching the commercial, it left me pondering about the way we use cognitive schemata to form impressions of other people, interpret their messages, and develop a certain perception about them. Personal prototypes are idealized representations of a certain kind of person. The information contained in prototypes consists of traits, patterns of behavior, and role relations that fit our idea of a certain type of people. Many times, we often subconsciously develop a certain perception or opinion about a particular person without any particular basis, just purely by looking at the appearance of the person. How then, did we manage to come to a conclusion on how we feel about this person without even getting to know him or her? Our own real life experiences, stories that our friends shared with us, and sometimes even the way the media portrays a certain types of people plays a role in helping us to form perceptions and impressions of a particular individual. Although this may be useful in helping us to identify and categorize people, negatively, it actually colours the way we view people and it often leads to stereotyping.
Here is a picture that is from the television commercial that I mentioned earlier. (I tried to attain permission from the producer of the commercial to include the video in this post, but my request was not acceeded. ): )
Be truthful, and think carefully about what comes straight into your mind the moment you see this person with a back that is so heavily tattooed? What is the first thing that you will associate this person with? Is he just an ordinary caring father of two, or could he be someone from the underground society? Some of us may associate tattoos with gangsters and rebels, some may think that having tattoos are cool and trendy, and yet others may find that tattoo is actually a form of body art. All these different responses are largely attributable to the different perceptions that we have already formed in our minds. Because these perceptions are already instilled in us, it is very difficult for us to change them. For example, assume that I associate tattoos with someone being very cool. Once I see a person with tattoos, I will automatically have the thinking, "Wow, this person is so cool." Such perceptions often result in stereotypes and in more serious causes, misinterpretations. Think about it, how often have we let our own perceptions guide our way of thinking?
Have you ever avoided taking a seat on the public bus next to someone with tattoos all over his body despite feeling very tired? What if that person was someone dressed smartly in a longsleeved shirt and tie? Would you have taken that seat otherwise? When asking people to donate to charity, did you only approach people who looked "friendlier" and not those who have body piercings and tattoos everywhere? Don't judge. You can never know what a person is like just by looking at appearances.
In this commercial, a heavily tattooed man is trying his best to remove a Post-it note that is stuck on his back. No matter how hard he tries, there is no way he can reach it. The note saying, "Ex-Offender" is out of his reach. The only way to remove that "label" is for another person to remove it from his back. This commercial made use of a simple props, an ex-convict with lots of tattoos on his back, a Post-it note reading "Ex-Offender", and a simple background music to cleverly convey its message clearly to everyone of us. Why did the director of the commercial decided to use a heavily tattooed man as the leading "actor" of the commercial? The answer is very simple. Due to our perceptions of people with certain traits or characteristics (in this case, tattoos), our society has come to a point where we are all guilty of categorizing people and putting labels on them. So much so that in order to clearly convey this message of prejudice across, the director deliberately chose to use a heavily tattooed man to portray himself as an ex-convict. This is largely due to the fact that many of us often have this misperception that people with tattoos are likely to be offenders, or rebels of any sort. All of us - you and me, should put aside all our prejudices and negative stereotypes before coming to a conclusion about the character or personality of a person. Just by looking at a person's appearance is inadequate and unfair for us to make an accurate judgment about a particular person. Once again, this commercial clearly demonstrates the effective use of non-verbal communication to convey a certain message. There was no need for fancy props, catchy music or digital imaging effects. Encoders of the message (you and me) could clearly comprehend the meaning of this commercial.
Touching a little bit more on this commercial, this commercial is actually launched in conjunction with the Yellow Ribbon Project (http://www.yellowribbon.org.sg/) . The Yellow Ribbon Project is a network that helps ex-offenders and their families integrate back into the society by encouraging companies to hire them and organizing campaigns to help remove the label of prejudice. I feel that it is of utmost importance that we actually give these people another chance in society. Before we condemn them and straightaway jump into the our biased perception of ex-convicts, I think we should take into considerations about the feelings of these people who are perpetually being rejected or looked down upon in our society. Some of them may have already changed for the better, some may just want to lead an ordinary life after they have served their time, and some, may just be trying to earn a living to provide for their families. No matter what, I feel that we should all be responsible to help these ex-convicts and give them another chance. Because, if we don't, who will? Don't let our personal prototypes affect our decisions, and more importantly, never judge a person just by looking at his or her appearance. Of course, all these also largely depend on whether the ex-convicts are willing to start afresh, turn over a new leaf and embrace the opportunities that are given to them. If they are willing to do so, I would definitely be willing to help them unlock their second prison too. What about you?
15 comments:
Everyone got their own stories, by judging from the way they look, you can’t assume anything and come out with a conclusion whether their good or bad. Even if you know the person but that doesn’t mean that you understand him or her.
Most people in this society judge by the first impression from their appearance. I myself almost did the same mistake like them when I was young during teenager period while in secondary school, I was lucky enough but not for my friends who I used to hang out with at that time. Most of us either came from broken families or got influence mainly by the society. Well, everything happens for a reason in this world so not all of them are bad person. So why not give them a chance to amend themselves if they got the will to start afresh?
This is a very interesting topic.I personally feel that the Yellow-Ribbon Project(YRP) was purely wanting the people,not only citizens of Singapore,to have a less negative impression of these "ex-convicts" who,after their release,are looking for a second chance in life(for most cases),be it family,friends,careers and society.
I mean no offences,but believe it or not,this YRP was aiming at employers whose Human-Resource Dept. are responsible for filtering out the potential employees.This is very true as the YRP had courses for these ex-offenders before they leave the prison.This was done to help them adapt to society once again.YRP even held couselling sessions for those who do not know which route to take in life.And majority are worried they could not earn a living for themselves,or some,their loved ones.Put oneself in their shoes,the feeling of being rejected is always not very pleasant.But for them,it may mean being a failure for the rest of their lives,and may lead them into being locked-out.Worst still,it may mean going back the same direction of being a convict once again.This is what the community should try and change,not just by accepting them,but through believing they have changed.We,the society,should help encouraging these people into doing the "right" things which in-turn prevents them from falling into the same ditch.
As for that poster,I would refer to the adverts of HSBC.Again I mean no offences,but as an advertising designer I should pretty much commment on this.Tattoos does not mean much,some of which is taken as art,or rather,trend.If one is to stereotype a man full of tattoos,then what are smokers? Are smokers known for being the main air-pollutants? The YRP prolly had deep consideration that this could affect the "senile" population whose mind are "dead-locked" to whatever they see.The more "educated" ones whould have no problem intepreting what the advert was basically trying to say,whereas the others would simply think that tattoo equals bad.The previous year,YRP had some TV ads about the chef and the IT engineer,which impressed me on how the attention was diverted from a murder and a burglar(respectively).
To sum up all the talk,I would not mind helping these people.Basically due to the fact their performance in jail MUST be good in order to be released.It is up to how people help them being their innocent self again.
its not our fault for judging people by their looks... its natural...everything now is all about packaging...the way you portray yourself makes people think what kind of person you are...the kind of family you are raised in also influence your perspective of people with tattoos. some might find them cool... for most i suppose would think that they are people from certain secret society..
..for me ... i think.. it doesnt matter how people look at you... its the way you think of yourself... even if you are covered by tattoos or piercings.. the way you behave and hold yourself in public would immediately make people see whats inside you instead of just the skin that your are wrapped in...
..this ad. makes me think about a chinese tv programme that was aired just several days ago i think... it was about this "priest" that turn over a new leaf... he used to be a member from a secret society with tattoos all over him... than some how he turn over a new leaf... and became a priest and a social worker helping the needy... although i did not watch the show.... it was pretty much about how he turn over and was given a second chance...
... this clearly shows us that ex-offenders can always turn out to be better... the 2nd chance is always out there ... the question is whether they want to change or not... of course the public has a part to play too...but the ex-offenders have to be determined about changing themselves..so they will not falter even when they are rejected...
....personally... i think the yellow-ribbon project is a brilliant plan to help out these ex-offenders...for everything that they had gone through in the prison...i suppose what we can offer them after they get release is a chance for them to show us that they have really changed...
This is an awesome post. =)
Well, i do think that in your words and i quote "that we should unlock them from their second prison". We should really give the ex-cons a chance to start afresh.
I strongly believe that most ex-convicts stay the same way and not change a new leaf only because they think that no one is going to give them a chance to be 'good' anyway, so why bother. Hence, everyone should really give them a chance.
Giving them a chance equals to them giving themselves a chance.
With that chance, the country would definitely be a better place.
Less judgements and a better community.
Hey! Its really great to see so many of you having different opinions about this issue. Instead of remaining anonymous, why not just create a pseudonym or nickname so that it will be easier for me and other readers to respond to your comments? but if u guys insist on remaining anonymous, i guess it wouldn't hurt either. haha. =) thanks for the comments. i can see that many of you are putting alot of effort (judging from the length). keep them going! =D
I guess no 1 is gonna speak for the other side of view i'll be the 1st =D
Old habbits die hard, some just dont die. Right... you are talking about giving them a second chance here but...
Speaking from a person who served police for some time point of view.. i wouldn't say most of them use their second chances wisely.. from what i know all offences commited are usually always by ex-offenders. And boy do they have a record of offences(not including the countless charges of other offences dischagred by court or let off by some kind hearted police officer). Commited again and again after being released. One of the things my incharge told me what his lecturer of criminal law said to him..
The prison is not a place where criminals repent and regret its actually the true university of law, where criminals exchange pointers and discuss what they did and where went wrong. Learning all experiences from eachother they socialise with the officers there understanding how the officers think when they are released or should i say graduated they are now a even better criminal than before....
a class above others =D
You can say that not all are like that but.. if u think about it, how many can u confidently say will change you cant prove it.. so u rather see how it goes? If they commit another offence we will put him back in? What if his next offence is murder who is going to answer for that..
Not All Just Most Cheers..
ultimately, i feel that whether ex-offenders are given a second chance or not largely depends on their attitude and willingness to change. as appearances can never be changed, in order to portray a positive picture, one has to show it through their skills, capabilities, and even their willingness to learn new things. though they may have poor education backgrounds, if they do display a certain eagerness to learn new things, i think that they should be given the opportunity.
It is true that for some people to certain extent that old habits die hard and that most ex-offenders have records of offences. In a matter of fact, it all depends on the ex-offenders themselves. After all, there are 90% of the people living in this world who do not have any dreams and do not bother about anything around them. But to also note that, it is know that even if you achieve great things in your life does not depicts that you are in the 10% as well. What I’m trying to said is that their people who do not know to think or in fact that they are living in their own world.
Also like what I actually say before, everyone got their own stories and so you can’t really assume anything by just judging from what they did in the past. No offence, in my own opinion about the “Yellow ribbon campaign” that it has been an almost complete failure but it is not because of the inefficiency but the society. Come and think of it, even thought that they post this “tattoo-guy” trying to remove the note at his back in the public to help remove label of prejudice. But how many of them would really bother about it?
If you would to said that you will give them a chance, to really think profoundly in such a situation:
"There is a natural disaster and everyone is running for their life. During this chaotic situation, you saw someone actually fall down, not to say someone but a kid or someone you even know. Would you run back and help that person where there is a 99.9% chance that you would lost your life if you do so. So would you? I supposed no one can really give a definite answer unless they’re really involved in such scenario."
So if you would to cross-reference, most people or should I say employer would think in such a way that there is higher chances where this ex-offender would create trouble to him or her. In matter of fact, the meaning of “ex-offender” is about the same as “trouble maker”. So you can’t really say that you yourself would help them unless you’re an employer yourself.
i think the yellow ribbon project is a very good intiative made by the government to help ex-offenders remove the stigma. but, i feel that it is still human nature for us to judge them in a different manner because some of us may feel that we have misplaced our trust in them. that is why until now, ex-offenders are still finding it difficult to find jobs. even with this yellow ribbon project, some companies still shun interviewees who were once convicted, regardless of what the offence was. it still takes a lot of time to let our society accept these people.
if we first want to know whether a person has already changed for the better, opportunities have to be given for them to show that the have changed. by shutting them off from society and refusing to give them chances to contribute in the society, there is no way for us to determine whether they are worth to hire. i think the singapore prisons also have certain programmes inside to help inmates develop positively and change. counselling programmes also make a difference. such progammes are designed to actually help them adapt to society when they come out. its really time to remove our stereotypes and help unlock the second prison!
this advertisement really identifies the main problem that we have in our society - stereotyping. we often look judge people by the way they dress and their appearance. tattoos never fail to be associated with negative stuff such as gangsters, offenders, and rebels. i guess it is about time that we, singaporeans remove our stereotypes and look deeper into a person, not just how they look. the yellow ribbon project is a great starting point where we are all encouraged to give exoffenders another chance. i feel that this advertisement clearly depicts the current situation in our society, so its time to remove the labels! great analysis!
i agree with you. we should never judge a person by his or her looks. lets help to remove the label and give others a chance! the fact that they are released from prison means that the offences were not so major to the extent that they should be imprisoned for life. put yrself in their shoes, would u have wanted to be given another chance?
i truly love this commercial. the dark background and heavily tattooed man definitely draws the attention on viewers cuz they want to know what the ad is about. the creative use of the post it note serves as a reminder that makes viewers reflect on whether they have been labelling others. this ad serves more as a self-reflection tool and it definitely plays a very impt role in helping exoffenders get another chance in our society.
most of us have our own perceptions on certain types of people. and no doubt, there is a very high tendency for us to judge people based on our perceptions. for this case regarding ex offenders, it is often a natural instinct for us to judge them based on their appearance. although tattoos and piercings have becoming increasingly common in our society, many of us still stereotype this group of people because tattoos and piercings are not widely accepted. all in all, i think it takes time for us to accept these new ideas and we should learn to be more open to accept others.
i would have to agree with tina that it actually takes time for us to remove our prejudices and give others a second chance. most of the time, our personal stereotypes are already deeply set in us. in order to remove these sterotypes and "labels", we need to be convinced enough that this certain group of people are not what we perceive them to be. otherwise, it would be quite difficult for us to change our mindsets.
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