About Rhetoric: Identity/Identification (February 6)
Read Jay Heinrichs, Chapters 18-19.
Describe a moment when you saw "the identity strategy" (or "identification") in action. You could describe a moment you deployed the identity strategy in attempting to communicate with someone else or a moment you felt it being used on you. You can describe the way you saw it working in a televised speech, a written essay, or a dialogue in a television show, movie, or drama. You can use political examples, as a politician tries to win your vote, or you can talk about the moment you tried to convince your teacher that you deserved a better grade. Big stakes or small, personal or public, choose an example that really lets you explain what the identity strategy is and how it works.
To complete this, you will need to summarize the communication interaction you are talking about. (50 words)
You will need to define the tools of the identity strategy you saw at work. Support your definition using quotations from both of the two different chapters of the book that discuss the identity strategy. When quoting, include page numbers and include a bibliographic reference at the end of your answer (just to practice bibliography). (100 words)
Then, explain how you saw the identity strategy "working" -- what did the speaker/writer do to use "the identity strategy," and did you find it effective in achieving their rhetorical purpose?
Understanding different groups of people’s “lingo” is important for appeal. If you talk their talk they’re going to think you “get it” and can make you “one of them.” For example:
ReplyDeleteI don’t watch children’s tv cartoons like Paw Patrol or Abby’s Dollhouse, but I know enough to name drop characters to a four year old.
Kid: *playing with a dalmatian figure*
Me: “Hey that looks like Marshal!”
Kid: *gasp* “You know Paw patrol?”
Me: “I do! My favorite character is Chase. What’s yours?”
Kid: “I like Rubble.”
Me: “He’s so funny! Hey, can you follow me for a second? I have a special job I need you to help me with.”
Kid: *stands up and I can see his monster truck shirt*
Me: “Awesome! I love your shirt too, Blue Thunder is so cool”
At the end of all this, the child is more willing and open to follow me to complete whatever little “job” I needed help with (in this case it was a speech assessment.) because I seemingly knew about his interests!
This would be an example of what Heinrich called “Code Grooming.”
“Using insider language to an audience to identify with you and your idea.” pg. 192
When reading over the quote below, I thought about how MUCH this type of persuasion could be used against you. I thought about how ads work to grab our money by pretending to relate to our needs or how politicians sway our votes. And that was a little unsettling.
“And as you have seen, code grooming can manipulate you in subtle
ways. So you need to watch out for the particular codes that appeal to the
groups you identify with, such as your education, gender, political leanings,
age, looks, hobbies, and degree of optimism toward the world.” pg 206.
I always hope I am teaching us to be aware, to be able to defend, and to make the world a better place.
DeleteReading this section and learning about the identity strategy led me to think about the protests happening in Minneapolis for the past month. Jay Heinrichs, on page 207 of the textbook, says that “the surest way to commit an audience to an action is to get them to identify with it—to see the choice as one that helps define them as a group.” This exact strategy is one that is frequently employed in the event of organizing a protest. The prompt for action in this case was encouraged both by government leaders like Mayor Fray/Governor Tim Walz and citizens. Making the choice to protest against ICE presence in Minneapolis unified many people in Minnesota and drew others from outside the state, leading them to a response against the injustice. Heinrichs also states on page 199 that it’s useful to “use language unique to the group” to convince your audience of whatever point you’re trying to make. In this case, the unique language choice appears in the form of “ICE out” and similar sentences or chants that reinforce the idea of shared identity and purpose.
ReplyDeleteThis makes sense to me. I'm anxious to talk too much about this topic, because I know our country is deeply divided around it. But I am glad you brought some clear insight!
DeleteI see the identity strategy employed in everytime someone attempts to make friends or get closer to someone, by employing the jokes and references they know that they like to indicate their relatability. For example, if I am trying to get closer to someone, and I know that we both watch the show Arrested Development, I might slip casual references into our conversation to indicate that I am in the "in-group" of fans of the show and therefore increase my ethos.
ReplyDeleteThis is an example of code-grooming, which Heinreichs defines as, "Using insider language to get an audience to identify with you and your idea." (Heinreichs, 192) By making certain well-placed references, I am being identified as someone with shared knowledge and tastes with the person I am trying to connect with. This requires code inoculation of the listener, however, who then needs to possess the same knowledge of the references and context I am using in them, and determine if my usage is adequate based on these factors. Heinreich's claim to "Be aware of the terms that define the groups you belong to, and watch out when a persuader uses them." (Heinreichs, 207), which can be interpreted as the listener and speaker knowing what quotes and references work best contextually and conversationally.
I still have not watched that show. Should I? I could learn your code!
DeleteIt just seemed weird, though. What do you think?
A couple years ago, my boyfriend and I had our first date at a local park. There was a public chess table, and we decided to see if he could teach me how to play (spoiler alert: I know how to play now, but I have yet to beat him). A few minutes in, two boys ran over – probably around 7 or 8 years old – and asked if they could play. I admitted that I was losing badly (which was true) and desperately needed their help. They very enthusiastically claimed to be chess champions while grabbing a random rook of mine and taking out a bishop on the opposite end of the board. Even I knew that was an illegal move. My boyfriend, who is a more intellectual, teach-a-man-to-fish type, began explaining the rules and where they could actually put that rook. I could tell the boys weren’t quite in the mood, so I took my nearest piece and said, “look, my knight is riding a missile launcher!” before miming an explosive attack on all the opposing pawns. This incited a small war, lots of laughter, a bubble gun fight, temporary babysitting for their nice parents who were looking on, and a fun memory we often look back on. Heinrichs defines using “code,” or relating to others in their own behavior/language as how “we humans use present-tense, demonstrative rhetoric, persuasion that brings us together and distinguishes us from other groups. Demonstrative rhetoric exploits our instinct for forming tribes and rivalries, and our fear of being an outsider” (Heinrichs 191-192). Furthermore, he describes this as a means of inspiring action. Using code in this way employs the identity strategy: “The surest way to commit an audience to an action is to get them to identify with it—to see the choice as one that helps define them as a group” (Heinrichs 207). In my example, my boyfriend good-naturedly became the scapegoat. I could tell the boys wanted to play rather than learn every rule of chess, so by speaking their language (jet packs and imaginary violence), I communicated that I was on their side. In the end, we all ended up having fun, and I’ve since learned that it isn’t considered great sportsmanship to ‘explode’ all his pieces when I’m losing.
ReplyDeleteHeinrichs, Jay. Thank You for Arguing, Revised and Updated Edition. Three Rivers Press, 6 Aug. 2013.
Who knew I could get some creative writing from these assignments?
DeleteDuring senior year of high school I sat with a table of guys that were really into football. They all played fantasy football, but I had absolutely no knowledge of the players so I wasn’t able to relate to them at all about it. We still got along pretty well but things were slightly awkward because I felt like we didn’t have enough in common with each other to have more casual conversations. Although, when the super bowl came along I was able to watch it and actually talk to them about football. In this sense, I could now relate to their interests more and get a bit closer with them.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 18 Heinrichs talks extensively about code grooming. He says to “use language unique to the group, and as long as you don’t apply it indecorously, you’ll get in tight with your audience” (Heinrichs, 192). In my case, I talked about specific events that happened in the game to show that I knew football enough for them to respect me.
Heinrichs also states to “be aware of the terms that define the groups you belong to, and watch out when a persuader uses them” (Heinrichs, 207). In my case, if I wanted the group to continue to like me, I would have to keep in mind the things that I should and shouldn’t say in order to not step on any toes and worsen the relationship.
Hah! I am reminded that "Fantasy Football is Dungeons and Dragons for non-nerds. Thank you for this example.
DeleteOne clear example of the identity strategy appears in The Office during Jim Halpert’s “Asian Jim” prank on Dwight (I am rewatching the show lol). Jim hires an actor to pose as him and calmly insists he has “always been Asian,” while coworkers play along. Instead of arguing with Dwight directly, Jim pressures him through group identity. Dwight is forced to question his own perception because everyone else behaves as if belonging to the group means accepting this version of reality.
ReplyDeleteIn Thank You for Arguing, Jay Heinrichs explains that identity based persuasion works by aligning an argument with how people see themselves. In Chapter 18, he notes that effective rhetoric can involve “redefining the audience’s self-image” (Heinrichs 205), because people strive to act consistently with their perceived role. In Chapter 19, he adds that persuasion succeeds when the audience thinks, “People like us do things like this” (Heinrichs 218). Rather than debating facts alone, the rhetor ties agreement to belonging, making acceptance feel like loyalty to the group and disagreement feel like isolation.
The identity strategy works in this scene because Jim never tries to logically prove anything. Instead, he manipulates Dwight’s sense of belonging. Everyone else in the office acts unified, subtly suggesting that a reasonable, socially aware coworker would accept what the group affirms. Dwight’s discomfort comes from being positioned outside that shared identity. While played for comedy, the moment shows how powerful identification can be. It pressures individuals to conform not through evidence, but through the desire to remain part of “us.” The persuasion is effective precisely because it targets social belonging rather than logic.
Heinrichs, Jay. Thank You for Arguing: Revised and Updated Edition. Three Rivers Press, 2013.
I love this example. I will use it in a first-year class.
DeleteAs someone who is on the autistic spectrum, I feel like I use identification for just about any conversation with anyone who isn't very close to me. I don't remember the exact strategies and coping methods they had me do in the sensory rooms, but it has stuck enough in my brain where I still have to play a mini game of deduction for any conversation I enter. I like to make jokes about my house burning down, it helps keep the memory of the house alive and it is a good coping skill for me. however I have learned the hard way that not many people know how to react when prompted with a more "Taboo" conversational subject. It is in these moments where I then Identify "Oh yeah this may not be the right crowd" and everyone is already awkwardly looking at the floor and trying to get the conversation to move forward.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of "redefining the audiences self image" (Heinrichs, 205) applies heavily to me and my friends. I mask very well, and so I often feel like because of that when my friends are reminded of my autism, they don't know how to approach it or even talk about it. I often I have to be a "Social Chameleon" to fully blend in, switching between social roles while cycling from person to person at a party. What also applies heavily in these types of situation is Heinrichs use of "Code" (Heinrichs, 192) as a social guideline that must be followed. I often feel like I have to "Keep score" of how many ways I could violate that code in public, like my example of the "Taboo" joke and the notion of what is considered "Good and civil" conversation
Complex -- thank you for sharing all of this.
ReplyDelete