Posted on Jun 24, 2015
Why have symbols stirred such emotion throughout human history?
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Humans are people who use symbols to represent ideas, beliefs, political views, events, religions, organizations and more. I am fascinated by our human behavior throughout history to create symbols to represent pieces of our lives. What fascinates me more is how much importance is placed on sumbols; so much so that often the symbol takes on a life of its own. A symbol can stir love or hatred. We have used symbols throughout human history. But what is it exactly that makes symbols so powerful and often political?
Sociology
Politics
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 16
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Because they're symbols. They represent things to the people that see them and sometimes those things are closely held beliefs. All of those associations are what make a symbol even worth noting.
It's kind of like language. We like to say "words are just words" but really, what is a word but an extremely powerful symbol? When I say "Christian," what everyone hears is a mass of the things they associate with Christianity. When I say "Army," what I hear is structure, mission, fond and not so fond memories, friends, brothers, sacrifice. When a civilian hears "Army," I would hazard they are hearing "Platoon" by Oliver Stone and probably a fair bit of Full Metal Jacket because they don't know the difference between the Army and the Marines.
It's kind of like language. We like to say "words are just words" but really, what is a word but an extremely powerful symbol? When I say "Christian," what everyone hears is a mass of the things they associate with Christianity. When I say "Army," what I hear is structure, mission, fond and not so fond memories, friends, brothers, sacrifice. When a civilian hears "Army," I would hazard they are hearing "Platoon" by Oliver Stone and probably a fair bit of Full Metal Jacket because they don't know the difference between the Army and the Marines.
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PO2 (Join to see)
Great point. I think of Army and think of Black Hawk Down, which is one of my favorite movies to date. I think of Navy and I think of similar things to yourself, friends, family, and great and bad times.
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PFC Adan Nolan
I can't help but think about the power symbols hold over people's emotions throughout history. It's wild how a simple emblem or flag can stir up such intense feelings. One theory that sheds light on this phenomenon is the Emergent Norm Theory, which argues that people's behavior is influenced by emerging social norms in specific situations. According to studyhippo.com, this theory suggests that symbols, like military insignia or national flags, can become powerful triggers for emotional responses due to the shared understanding and expectations associated with them. It's fascinating how something as seemingly insignificant as a symbol can evoke such strong reactions.
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PFC Adan Nolan
PFC Adan Nolan - [quote] I can't help but think about the power symbols hold over people's emotions throughout history. It's wild how a simple emblem or flag can stir up such intense feelings. One theory that sheds light on this phenomenon is the Emergent Norm Theory, which argues that people's behavior is influenced by emerging social norms in specific situations. According to https://studyhippo.com/test-answers/emergent-norm-theory/ , this theory suggests that symbols, like military insignia or national flags, can become powerful triggers for emotional responses due to the shared understanding and expectations associated with them. It's fascinating how something as seemingly insignificant as a symbol can evoke such strong reactions.
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And also.. that's a simple point but Symbols are created for a reason, and through the years they mean many things to many people.
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And also.. that's a simple point but Symbols are created for a reason, and through the years they mean many things to many people.
Emergent Norm Theory test questions and answers | Get Access To Emergent Norm Theory Flashcards...
Questions and Answers on Emergent Norm Theory Use our database of questions and answers and get quick solutions for your test
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Because, as you know CH (MAJ) William Beaver Symbols are created for a reason, and through the years they mean many things to many people. The one's that seem to stir the most emotion are the ones that have come to be associated with Hatred and Oppression. Regardless of the origins and intent, this all comes down to perception. As you also, their are academics who spend their careers work with symbols, their history, meaning and understanding.
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TSgt (Join to see)
COL Charles Williams I'd beg to differ on one point. The symbols that stir the most emotion are the ones people are willing to live and die for. The ones for hatred and oppression generate far more jaw movement than anything else. The problem is that people are no longer comfortable talking about what they hold dear in public, only what they find abhorrent.
Blame Hearst for that, that newspaper mogul haunts us all from his grave.
Blame Hearst for that, that newspaper mogul haunts us all from his grave.
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It's the ideas behind them the are powerful. The symbols are just clever tools to communicate those ideas quickly and simply.
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