12 Angry Men by Sidney Lumet

The purpose of this assignment is for you to demonstrate your knowledge of group processes by evaluating the group’s decision making in the film 12 Angry Men (Sidney Lumet, 1957). Your task is to demonstrate that you understand and can apply the concepts of small-group discussion presented in the textbook and in class. When you type up your answers, don′t include the original question! If you do include the original questions, your plagiarism score will increase, and you will lose points for failing to follow directions! Also, PLEASE be THOROUGH with your answers. The more THOROUGH, the better! By being thorough, I will believe that not only did you watch the film, but also that you understood it through the thoroughness of your answers!

Film Questions: 12 Angry Men by Sidney Lumet

Question 1

The group presented in the 12 Angry Men has several strengths. First, the group is
eclectic because the majority of the members of the group are open-minded (Lumet & Reginald
7). Another strength of the group in the film is determination. The group is determined regardless
of justifiable and unjustifiable logic that occurs in their group attachment. Juror 8 manages to
appeal to other jurors to make better decisions. In terms of determination, the group worked
together to complete all the deliberations that were issued by the Judge.

Question 2

The group faces several weaknesses as it tries to deliberate issues in the film 12 Angry
Men. First, the group is biased. For example, juror number 3 is biased and bigoted. In other
words, it is a weakness that the group has some biased members, thereby affecting the decision-
making process. The second weakness in the group is prejudice (Lumet & Reginald 5). Some of
the Jurors have already assumed that they are guilty even before the judgment is made. For
example, when the foreman asks for an initial vote, only one juror vote not guilty. When the rest
vote guilty, they become angry that their assumptions are foregone conclusions.

Question 3

The group demonstrates different types of leadership. Both Juror number 8 and number 9
show the most effective leadership. For example, Jurors 8 and 9 guide the indecisive Jurors. They also use the trial to guide biased and bigoted Jurors (Lumet & Reginald 12). Besides, Jurors
8 and 9 demonstrate the most significant leadership because they manage to appeal for
objectivity and fairness, even in the presence of biased jurors.
Question 4

In the film 12 Angry Men, the hidden agenda is one of the most significant concepts that
make the movie more appealing and satisfying to watch. The majority of the jurors in the film
have a hidden agenda. The first hidden agenda is drawn from juror 3, whose relationship with his
son makes him vote guilty (Lumet & Reginald 19). He claims the boy would kill his father
through that his experience when his son hit him. The prevalence of biased jurors in the film of
more than hidden agenda. In terms of hidden agenda, juror ten is portrayed as the most intense
attacker of the defendant. His hidden agenda occur because of the biased and tactless individual
who uses his hidden agenda to condemn the defendant. Another form of hidden agenda is
portrayed by juror three who wants the boy to die. He also yells and intimidates the defendant.
Lastly, juror 7 is only interested in baseball (Lumet & Reginald 16). Therefore, he wants the
court to conclude the case within the shortest time possible to allow him to attend a baseball
game. In his hidden agenda, juror seven changes his vote to not-guilty by argue he is not satisfied
with the decision. His hidden agenda is to speed up the proceedings so that he can attend a
baseball game.

Question 5

Throughout the films, several interpersonal conflicts dominate the court platform, where
some of the jurors change their decisions in a court proceeding. For jurors, the leadership of one
of the most paramount requirements that ensure fair justice for defendants and complainants. If I
acted as a leader in the film 12 Angry Men, I would have used several strategies to solve the interpersonal conflict. First, I would have asked jurors to introduce themselves to the defendants
and complainants. I would also state biases that would be used by some of the jurors to impede
objectivity and justice. Mainly, I would openly point out biases before the proceedings start to
soften some of the conflicts that would later arise during the procedure. More importantly, I
would solve the interpersonal conflict by questioning jurors about their decision in the case. I
would also ask them to make their individual decisions in different rooms.

Question 6

Leadership and communication are positively correlated. Therefore, the most effective
jurors in the film also present the most excellent sense of direction. One effective communicator
is juror 8 has extraordinary communication skills that influence decision-making. Juror 8 uses
communication and leadership skills to overcome biased jurors (Lumet & Reginald 14).
Therefore, jurors 5 and 8 are the most effective communicators because due to the use of
experience and communicating with sense, respectively. On the other hand, the least effective
communicator is juror 3. He yells and makes endless intimidation to impede objectivity and to
influence other jurors in the decisions.

Question 7

In the film, all jurors can be united to improve their decision-making and problem-
solving processes. The first approach is to criticize jurors 3 and 10 to allow them to put aside
their bigotry and bias. The next method is for other jurors to keep quality control when jurors 3
and 10 present prejudice and bigotry (Lumet & Reginald 12). Decision making would be better if
juror nine could embrace objectivity and responsibility. The group also widen the options, as
argued by juror 8. He says it is essential to enlarge the option by not only considering the
evidence but also exploring the credibility of the evidence.

 

Work Cited

Lumet, Sidney, & Reginald Rose. Twelve Angry Men. Los Angeles: Orion-Nova Twelve Angry
Men, 1957