Muhammed Ali Week 10 - The Unhinged Power of a Title
The Unhinged Power of a Title
"What's in a name?" Apparently a lot.
Respect is often attained as a result of how much power an individual demonstrates, and the amount of power can often be traced back to accomplishments they have achieved in their lives. What schools we attend, what positions we occupy, what companies we are employed at: all primary building blocks behind others’ perceptions of ourselves, whether we like it or not. Most of us would be more likely to trust someone with a PhD or an M.D. at the end of their name over someone without it, regardless of what the circumstances by which the person is offering advice for.
Of course, it’s wise to trust the better educated person in the field of their expertise, but unfortunately, that’s not where many people stop. We as a society elevate people who had the privilege of going to school for multiple years and getting a degree, and this elevation causes us to listen to and accept their opinions unconditionally, even if they aren’t qualified to be offering advice in those areas.
Education and title bias is not only an unfortunate byproduct of the way society is structured today, but also a dangerous one. Disregarding the opinions and assistance of knowledgeable people, whether consciously or subconsciously, simply because they hadn’t the means to attend college like their “more esteemed” peers creates a wide social divide—a divide that has been growing, and will continue to grow, since the introduction of modern education itself.
Nilofer Merchant, journalist for Harvard Business Review, puts it perfectly in his article about societal perceptions of power and authority. “Our culture also honors fancy titles and brand affiliations, as visibly celebrated by the first question most Westerners ask on meeting someone new: ‘And who are you?’ It’s as if knowing one’s title and affiliation will let you know if a person’s ideas are even worth considering.”
Hi Muhammed! I agree with you, everyone has subconscious or conscious biases that change the way they perceive others. The way this society works, some people don't even realize they have them before others point it out. One example of this is a case study on blind auditions for an orchestra. When the judges realized they weren't hiring enough women, they switched from auditions where they could see the applicant to auditions where they could not, called blind auditions. However, even after switching, they realized they still weren't hiring the same number of women as they were men. The next thing they did was install a carpet on the floor of the audition room, so that they wouldn't be able to hear the female contestants' heels click on the floor. After this modification, the number of women that were hired skyrocketed. This shows just how subliminal triggers can be, and this can apply to any bias people have.
ReplyDeleteHey Muhammed! Your blog revealed some necessary truths about the nature of society. Not everyone desires a college degree, and it does not mean they are more or less successful than those who do. This principle applies to various other aspects of life where societal biases force people to compete with each other for no apparent reason. This mindset can be incredibly damaging in life and can deprive one of serious opportunities. I think you did a great job of explaining this critical topic, especially with your use of a reputed source. The example of Dr. Phil was a clever idea as everyone knows who he is, and what he is famous for. Overall, I completely agree with everyone you said, and wished that this topic was discussed more in our society.
ReplyDeleteHi Muhammed,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your claim that respect and the control someone has over others or themselves can be traced back to where they came from, their upbringing, and what schools they went to. Societal perceptions of power and authority are deeply intertwined with education and titles. I resonate with your point about the danger of blindly trusting individuals solely because of their titles or connections, as it seems so common and existent in our world. People tend to do this so often, including me. It not only prolongs social divides but also undermines the potential contributions of those who may not have had access to prominent or exemplary education. Your example of Dr. Phil serves as a strong reminder of the fallacies associated with placing trust in individuals only because they hold prestigious titles. It's a tenet to the need for greater critical thinking and discernment in evaluating the credibility of sources. One way to slowly shy away from the title bias is to encourage a more inclusive and diverse range of voices and opinions instead of depending on titles. Emphasizing the value of diverse perspectives and expertise can help bridge the social divide perpetuated by narrow definitions of authority.
Hi Muhammed!
ReplyDeleteYour blog topic is very interesting. I agree with you on the point that our society puts unnecessary emphasis on titles such as "Dr." I believe this is due to the occupational prestige that we tend to attach to different professions. I think everyone does this, whether it is consciously or unconsciously. It is not possible to unlearn these things that have been taught intergenerationally. It has been believed for years that the person with the higher academic qualification is "smarter," even though that might not be the real case. The example you gave of Dr. Phil really helped explain your opinion further. Title bias is a dangerous part of society and we should all try our best to slowly unlearn the prejudice we have been taught over the years.