Symbolic Convergence Theory (SCT) is a communication theory developed by Ernest Bormann proposing that the holding of fantasies in common transforms collections of individuals into cohesive groups. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our, Social Penetration Theory and Social Exchange Theory, How to secure financing as a small business owner, How to Make a Business Plan for Any Business, 7 Crucial Macro Environment Factors to Include in Your Analysis, Macro Environment Examples in the Real World. The people derive the idea from the film in the episode that Obi-Wan defeats Anakin. The urge to own, operate and run a machine of equal strength and functionality as the spacecraft witnessed in the films creates a collective fantasy. [8], Symbolic Convergence Theory is related to attribution theory in that it deals with the human tendency to attribute meaning to signs and objects in order to make sense of them. Symbolic Convergence Theory (SCT) is a communication theory developed by Ernest Bormann proposing that the holding of fantasies in common transforms collections of individuals into cohesive groups. In Ernest G. Bormann …known as the originator of symbolic convergence theory (SCT) and its attendant method, fantasy theme analysis, which both explore how the sharing of narratives or “fantasies” can create and sustain group consciousness. Here, at ACaseStudy.com, we deliver professionally written papers, and the best grades for you from your professors are guaranteed! Most of the time, these fantasies trigger a chain reaction within the group where they will contribute more and more to the conversation or fantasy. [7] Bormann defines the basic communicative dynamic of symbolic convergence theory as, "the sharing of group fantasies which bring about symbolic convergence for the participants" (p. 4). We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. These studies analyzed the extent to which actual voting behavior can be anticipated by participation. 6 Effective Content Marketing Strategies You May Have Overlooked, Market Analysis Definition (With Explanation and Examples). I feel that it is essential in this country of ours that a man of modest means can run for President." Symbolic convergence theory (SCT) is a general communication theory that offers an explanation for the appearance of a groups cohesiveness, consisting of shared emotions, motives, and meanings. Interpersonal exchanges are analogous to economic exchanges where people are satisfied when they receive a fair return on their expenditures. For instance, the Star Wars Episode II-Attack of the Clones presents Jango Fett who raises an indistinguishable genetic copy of himself as his son Bobba in order to retain the same resilience in the child clone (Kaufman 4). Mutual relationship that exist in the Star wars depict a kind of excellent society that is concern about equitable individual understanding of the shared universe resources and time. It takes the shared fantasies of a group of people, perhaps the audience for a business presentation or a public speech, and examines them for inside jokes and other cues to a shared consciousness. men. The SCT method does a great job of directing rhetorical critics to focus on symbolic language. [5] SCT was first proposed by Ernest Bormann in the Quarterly Journal of Speech in 1972. A person who tries to betray a group will get a warning not to do so and the people will give him an example of what happened to Anakin after he betrayed his community. In order to use Fantasy Theme Analysis, the artifact must have symbolic convergence. Religious men maintain that there exists natural extrinsic manner in which information and training is passed from invincible entities to mortals. Similarly, the adult is inspired by the new acquired strength of the younger person who actual help the elder to experience a self-actualization. Anakin was a slave in the desert before Jinn found him. He offers autobiographical references which allow him to appear as the average man. Even women can identify with the warm relationship and emulate the same when interacting with their daughters as helpful mentors of the youth. A good objective theory explains what occurs and why it happens. The manner in which every character behaves and acts affects the perception of the audience in different ways; nevertheless, the fans of the film are more disposed to like the agents of light and hope against the agents of darkness and doom. In conclusion,the films The Star Wars are an application of the symbolic convergence theory by Ernest Bormann. Emergence 5. Once engaged in the fantasy, the theme itself creates a cohesiveness within the group. [32] It has been used to account for the communicative processes, created by a group, used to foster the creation and sustenance of the group's so-called "consciousness. The convergence theory in sociology would say that certain crowds are violent because the people who formed the crowd wanted to promote violence in the first place. [9], Unlike the traditional ideas of what fantasy means, Bormann uses the word to refer to "the creative and imaginative interpretation of events that fulfills a psychological or rhetorical need. Feelings elicited by the star war films maintain a certain level of group fantasies that create symbols that people across many cultures identify with as if the movie represents a common conscious images and plot. The Star wars films provide the timeline expansion of technology in nature and machinery. The symbolic-convergence theory is also known as the fantasy-theme analysis, which can be created in small groups or interaction between two people, thus creating a similar perspective. He incorporated fantasy themes into his theory called symbolic convergence theory, which involves “sharing group fantasies that create symbolic …show more content… Its characters are … Once a group has reached shared group consciousness, they no longer think in terms of "I" or "me" but in terms of "us" and "we." [11] Bormann sees these fantasy themes fulfilling a psychological or rhetorical need through creative and organized interpretations of events. Symbolic Convergence Theory works well for this artifact because there is a high amount of symbolism that makes the movie what it is. Next, there is a convergence of the “two faces of culture” (Class notes, 10/6). [16], A dramatic event or series of events leads to uncertainty and a need to develop rhetoric to explain the current state of reality. Every youth admires a coach or mentor towards a preferred profession to as a wise guide when developing a career in life. This theory can provide insight within small groups, meetings, lectures and speeches, but it provides a greater use of assessing effects within the media. The films contain various rhetorical visions throughout the dramatized episodes that make the fans of the films believe in a common symbolic identity and attachment to the environment and space within which the films take place. Every star wars film fan identifies with the spacecraft that disperse at the speed of light. The people relate to the identity through imagination and reality. Obi-Wan develop the symbolic cue when related with his young apprentice Anakin during the Star Wars Episode II-Attack of the Clones. SCT can predict that when a fantasy chain erupts among members, symbolic convergence will occurs as well. The beliefs are what the theory of symbolic convergence describes as a fantasy theme(Bormann 395). The common way of thinking of the rhetorical community creates the symbolic convergence that Bormann describes in his theory. The film creates a rhetorical vision that people will only succeed after a sacrifice. This is an appropriate fantasy theme because it developed a response to the allegations that he is not a rich man who is getting money from everyone, but a hard working man who started from the ground and worked upwards. The power to release energy in form of electric power from the hand and fingers is so realistic in the movie that in turn the audience questions if the ability was ever interfere with by unknown mutation. The films present an idea that in every crisis, there is a person who is there just to save the situation. Here, the dramatizing message is that people who betray their groups will fail. When issues of power, sexism, role conflict, social rejection and other touchy topics come into play, groups members often find the direct confrontation of such issues to be unsettling. The idea is now a common knowledge probably among all the people that have seen the film. [18] The principle of reiteration asserts that rhetorical visions may be sustained by restating the key fantasy themes and types in new manners that fit within the dramatic structure of the vision, along with framing new information within the old rhetorical forms to maintain explanatory power. Many people seem to embrace the message. By being able to predict the voting behaviors, political representatives could carefully craft their messages for different groups of people before giving their speeches and lectures to best benefit themselves. People tend to use common language that relate to the films. Persuasion occurs at the end of the process when a person understands a position and then compares the position it advocates to the other person’s position on the issue. The people will expect that betrayal due to love is an expectation even from the person most faithful. Therefore, the biological transfer of genes through the reproduction system is systematical challenged by the development of the clone and how easy it is to decide which character attributes, personality type and resilience power could be decided for someone before birth . People try to be faithful and avoid betraying their groups and communities in order to succeed in whatever they are doing. [19], Situations in a rhetorical community can change so rapidly that the vision cannot adapt successfully. Week 10 Symbolic Convergence Theory of Ernest Bormann Presented by : Raka Tantra D. Pamungkas Afriana Dyah R Putri Hutajulu The London School of Public Relations MA in Communication Studies 2012 2. Symbolic convergence causes group members to develop a unique group consciousness. Symbolic Convergence Theory "...explains how certain types of communication shape a group's identity and culture, which in turn influence other dynamics such as norms, roles, and decision making. The principle of shielding asserts that visions often remain fundamentally unchanged by containing motivation to quash counter messages. [15], A rhetorical vision reality link allows for a viable rhetorical vision that chronicles an authentic account of the phenomena along with tangible evidence. SCT is often praised and even considered a bit unusual because it meets both criteria for being both objective and interpretive. This theory is a form of rhetorical criticism. "[10] Fantasy themes are used to construct a rhetorical vision or to dramatize messages embraced by the whole group. In turn, the older man benefits from the youth by gaining information or opposition according to the socio-political situations that turn the wheel of peace and war in the star war galaxy. Although Anakin is strong and has more powers than Obi-Wan, Obi-Wan defeat him because he betrays his own group and falls into the dark side of life. Social influence is greater when individuals are more attractive to their work group. Symbolic Convergence Theory Who developed this theory? [17], The end of a rhetorical vision. In the films, Anakin falls to the dark side because of the love. The people tend to form a group conscious and think alike resulting in a symbolic convergence. In the 1976 campaign, the investigators included the relationship between the media messages and the audience effects in their study. Both theories suggest that repeated exposure to the myths and themes of the movies on teachers and teaching should influence an individual's perceptions of teachers and school systems. Symbolic convergence is the way in which two or more private symbol worlds incline toward each other, come more closely together, or even overlap. The events of the films take place in a fictional galaxy. The person might fail to save the situation by himself but he will provide a means to solve the problem at hand. Developed by Ernest G. Bormann, Symbolic Convergence Theory posits that when groups of people dramatize a story, or share a joke that is only understood by the group, a … The group members can identify with this identity. Symbolic Interaction Symbolic Interactionism originated with two key theorists, George Herbert Mead and Charles Horton Cooley. Thus, there exists a symbolic convergence instance whenever an action elicits a fantasy that the audience could like to experiment. People seem to agree to the idea that there are some evil forces responsible for the bad things happening in the world today (Jackson 194). 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