Chapter 5. The Power of Context (Part Two): The Magic Number of One Hundred and Fifty
1.How did the Ya-Ya Sisterhood tip? The Ya-Ya Sisterhood book tipped through the power of word of mouth.
2.What is channel capacity? Channel capacity refers to the amount of space in our brain for certain kinds of information. We can only handle so much information at once - intellectual capacity. We also have a channel capacity for feelings as well.
3.What is Robin Dunbar’s argument about brain evolution? Robin Dunbar's argument is that brains evolve, they get bigger, in order to handle the complexities of larger social groups.
4.What is the Rule of 150 and how do Gladwell’s examples support the validity of this rule? The rule of 150 is the size of the neocortex relative to the size of the brain. The figure of 150 seems to represent the maximum number of individuals with whom we can have a genuinely social relationship, the kind of relationship that goes with knowing who they are and how they relate to us.
5.How did Gore become and stay so successful as a business? Gore became and stayed a successful business by following the Rule of 150. All employees are treated equally and on a level playing field. Peer pressure plays a big role. Since everyone knows everyone else, people want to live up to what is expected of them.
6.Is Gore Associates a company more businesses should model?Do you think we’d see less corruption and job dissatisfaction if more companies subscribed to the Rule of 150 and Gore Associates’ philosophy? I do think Gore Associates is a company more businesses should model. I think we would see less corruption and job dissactisfaction if more companies subscribed to the Rule of 150. In our school we are all held accountable to teach with fidelity and make sure that our students grow. This makes us stronger as a school.
7.What is transactive memory? Do you believe in the idea of family memory sharing?Examine your own family and see if the process holds true. Transactive memory is what is stored outside of our brains. This could also be called a joint memory system. Our family is a prime example of joint memory sharing. I am in charge of family memories such as dates, traditions, and child care matters. Don, my husband, is in charge of the vehicles, appliances and numbers. Our son, Tyler, is in charge of the television, games, and software for the the computer. I would say transactive memory does hold true.
8.Take Gladwell’s quiz: List all the people you know whose death would leave you devastated.Does your list fall in line with Gladwell’s assumption about groups and time? After taking Gladwell's quiz there are close to 15 people whose deaths would leave me devastated. Yes, my group falls in line with Gladwell;s assumption about groups and time. Caring about someone deeply is exhausting.
9.Think of groups you belong or belonged to.Do they fit into the Rule of 150?Describe each group’s dynamics.Would each group function better if it followed to the Rule of 150? My job fits into the Rule of 150. Every one knows everyone else. We have peer pressure to do do our very best! And we do!!
