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Maid In Manhattan Social Principles

Decent Essays

Social principles that are studied in social psychologist can be seen in everyday life. Since movies are a portrayal of life, many times the things that effect lives daily are often over dramatized to show the congruence between life and art. In the movie Maid in Manhattan,starring Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes, to people are brought together by a lie; although everything seems perfect, because they are from different classes their relationship and future careers could be in jeopardy . Three social principles that are evident in the movie are social facilitation, foot-in-the-door phenomenon, and cognitive dissonance. In the beginning of the movie, the main character, Marisa, is introduced. She is a working class , Hispanic, single mother …show more content…

In the beginning of the movie, one of the head managers, during the morning announcements tells the staff that there is an opening for the new assistant manager position, Marisa thinking nothing of it continues listening to the announcements while hoping that she is not only on time for her son’s speech later that evening, but also that Ty’s father actually shows up and that Ty does well. Stephanie has her eye on the job for Marisa and asks the manager if maids are allowed to apply if they fit the specifications of the job. When she finds out that Marisa fits the profile, she grabs an application and hands it to Marisa. Even though Marisa did not plan on apply for the position, she accepts the application and begins to contemplate what her life would be like as a manager because the rest of her friend group pushes her to. She then begins to fill out the application and seek counsel in order to fit the standards of an assistant manager in order to better her chances at getting the job. Even though she already an exceptional employee, because her friends continue to bring up the possibility of her being promoted she does her daily duties with more care in order to be seen as …show more content…

She declines but has fallen in love with him that she agrees to attend. However, the problem is that she is just a maid and has nothing to wear. She decides that at the party she is going to show up and tell him the truth and then leave. During the whole movie there is this warring that happens inside of her. She knows that she is not being honest to Chris but she is in love with him. This could not only cause her to loose her job but to end up heart broken and his career to be shattered. This all comes to a peak at the benefit dinner, she has been all dressed up by her friends at the hotel and has been given the “blessing” to go and have fun by the head butler. When she arrives at the benefit she is so nervous that she is literally heaving because she knows that she has to tell Chris that this whole ordeal has been a lie. However, he sweeps her up and they begin to dance. She immediately again assumes the role of Caroline but again feels the discord in herself. Even though she try to leave Chris comes and convinces her to come home with him. Even though they spent the night together Marisa still has that weird feeling in her gut and sets in her mind that she needs to end it before she gets caught. The social psychological principle shown in this scene is cognitive dissonance. It is the tension that arises when one is aware of two cognitions are

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