Case Lens on SELF-IMAGE
Synopsis
This Case Lens on self-image, in the backdrop of Hollywood blockbuster – The Blind Side – is an attempt to learn how negative self-image can be changed to a positive self-image with external reinforcements. Self-image, in simple terms, is about the way one thinks and therefore values himself/herself. The movie highlights transformation in Michael Oher’s self-image from being highly negative to highly positive, thanks to Leigh Anne Tuohy and her family adopting, coaching, mentoring and giving him a wonderful life. In the backdrop of the movie, this Case Lens enables an interesting discussion on the importance of self-image both for personal and professional lives.
Prerequisite Viewing/Mandatory Viewing
The students/participants need to mandatorily watch the movie The Blind Side. Honoring all the expected IPR issues, every participant must be encouraged to buy a DVD of The Blind Side movie. The temptation of either exhibiting the movie in the classroom or the students/participants downloading the movie from any hosting sites should be desisted lest we set unwarranted precedents in violating mandatory IPRs.
Classroom Orchestration
This Case Lens (video consisting the introduction and the accompanying five questions) can be orchestrated in the classroom in the following suggested flow:
- 1. Asking the students/participants to view the movie 2-3 days before the classroom discussion
- 2. Playing/exhibiting the Case Lens video in the classroom
- 3. Ideally, the class should be divided into five Learning Teams and ask them to prepare for all the questions. After giving them about 15 minutes, the classroom discussion/analysis should be attempted. This can be executed either by asking one of the teams randomly to present their analysis or each team should be allowed to lead a discussion for each of the questions
- 4. Each question would take varying times [the suggested timings are given in Exhibit (TN)-I] and it is highly recommended that the last 5 minutes should be spent on debriefing and synthesizing. The debriefing segment should be used to synthesize the expected learning outcomes of this Case Lens
Case Lens Positioning and Setting
This Case Lens as a pedagogical tool can be used for either of the following:
- •MBA Programs: Organizational Behavior course – Self-image/Self-esteem/Self-concept module
- •Executive Development Programs/MDPs: To sensitize the participants to the role of external reinforcements in the process of transforming self-image
Expected Learning Outcomes
At the end of this Case Lens discussion/analysis, each of the participants/students should be able to understand/appreciate
- • The role of self-image in personal and professional lives
- • The role of external (positive) reinforcements in self-image transformation process
Assignment Questions
The assignment questions, as outlined in the Case Lens video, are:
I. What is it that you would want to remember this movie for?
II. In the movie, there are two instances when Michael Oher has been shown visiting the school playground where small children are playing. The first instance is at around 00:14:44 and the second one is at around 00:49:31. What do these two episodes speak about Michael’s self-image?
III. .............
Preamble to the Case Lens Discussion
The purpose of this Case Lens is to help understand the importance of self-image in one’s personal and professional lives. Assuming that the students/participants would have watched the movie before the classroom discussion, this Case Lens poses a series of questions which enable an understanding on how a negative self-image gets transformed into a positive self-image with external reinforcements...............
Case Lens: Classroom Discussion and Analysis
I. Presentation by Learning Team 1
What is it that you would want to remember this movie for?
• Members from Learning Team 1 discussed the answer to this question by first asking other fellow participants’ opinion. The students/participants suggested the following topics that they would want to remember the movie for:
1. Coaching 2. Mentoring
3. Social consciousness 4. Values
5. Motivation 6. Self-Image, etc.
........................
Exhibits
Exhibit (TN)-I: The Case Lens’ Classroom Orchestration
Exhibit (TN)-II: Discussion Questions
Exhibit (TN)-III: Differentiation between Self-image, Self-identity and Self-concept
Exhibit (TN)-IV: The Process of Changing Michael’s Self-Image
Exhibit (TN)-V: Michael Oher at the School Play Ground
Exhibit (TN)-VI: Michael Oher’s Assertiveness and his Positive Self-Image
Exhibit (TN)-VII: The Process of Self-Image Transformation (for Michael)
Exhibit (TN)-VIII: External Reinforcements in Michael’s Self-Image Transformation
Exhibit (TN)-IX: Relationship between Self-Image and Contribution to Self-Growth