3. THIS STORY IS ABOUT PRIMARILY ABOUT A FRIENDSHIP
BETWEEN A CHINESE AND INDIAN BOY, & HOW RACISM
& PREJUDICE AFFECTS THIS RELATIONSHIP.
THEY ENTER COLLEGE AND ARE IMMERSED IN A NEW
ENVIRONMENT. THEY ARE INTRODUCED TO NEW PEOPLE.
SOME OF THESE PEOPLE REJECT MUTHU BECAUSE THEY
HAVE BAD PERCEPTIONS TOWARDS INDIANS AND
INSIST THAT CHONG NOT BE WITH MUTHU ANYMORE.
THE EVENTS THAT FOLLOW SHOW THE DYNAMIC
ELEMENTS AT PLAY IN FRIENDSHIPS & PREJUDICES.
SUMMARY
6. MERE EXPOSURE /
CLASSICAL CONDITIONING
- The more frequently the person is exposure to an
object, the more favorable his attitude towards that
object.
Chong’s first exposure to this group is when the Chinese gangsters invite
Chong out for an event, which he previously presumably had no or little
contact with. When Chong begins to hang out with this new group more
often, increasing the exposure to them, and building attraction to them,
this develops into a deeper relationship with them. In a way, it can be
stated that Chong’s attitude towards these people changed, from neutral,
to positive, as he was exposed to them more often.
7. RACISM
-Discrimination directed to a specific racial group
Chinese gang and lecturer have a bad perception towards
Indian. They had perceived Muthu as untrustworthy, due
to his being Indian. They asked Chong not to stay together
with Muttu anymore or else Chong should leave the gang.
8. INFLUENCE (SOCIAL PROOF)
- A person is more likely to be persuaded to a certain
choice if he sees a significant amount of the
community move towards a certain decision
Everyone else told Chong that Indians were not
trustworthy, and did not associate with them, he should not
either. So, Chong decides to not to be associated with
Muthu anymore, although Muthu was a long time friend,
because “everyone” seemed to be holding certain
perceptions towards Indians.
9. SOCIAL LEARNING
- All behaviour is learned through observation, and
learning from other social beings.
Chong learnt, from observation of his friends’ behaviours
and schemas in action, that his friend Muthu, who was
Indian, was not to be associated with.
10. VERBAL AGGRESSION
- Behaviour that intends to harm another through insults
and injurious statements
Chinese gangsters had done this after Chong refused to
experiment with drugs. This resulted in Chong being
insulted and called many things, including an Indian, which
was used as a derogatory term by the Indian gangsters,
again displaying their prejudice towards the race. The
aggression was hostile in nature, as it was directly and
intentionally meant to injure Chong with malintent.
11. PROSOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
(ALTRUISTIC MODEL)
- Positive social actions intended to help others for
selfless reasons
Muttu donated his kidney to Chong as Chong lost his
kidney during the car accident. Muthu’s intentions are
noble, and selfless, as he had all the reason not to help
Chong, but he did anyway.
