This is Greg Pritchard, who auditioned for Britain's Got Talent, a talent show on the British television just last Saturday, 9 May 2009. From the photo, are you able to guess what Greg was going to perform?
At first glance, Greg presented the image of a performer of rock music. It might be due to appropriately product-placed hairdo, adequately applied eye liner, black leather jacket, ambiguously androgynous rocker-boy image. This is where the concept of Cognitive Schemata can be seen very clearly. We often use schemata to form impressions of other people. In this case, personal prototypes have affected my thinking, as Greg has a sufficient number of traits that matches what i think is typical image of a rocker.
However, the genre of music he was about to perform was the last thing I would think of. The video will definitely surprise you like how it surprised me.
Who would have imagined the singer with the rock star looks singing Nessum Dorma, an aria from the final act of Giacomo Puccini's opera Turandot, one of the best known pieces in opera? While watching the video, I noticed that I was not the only one taken aback with what I saw. After hearing such a glass-shattering falsetto emanating from a ruggedly soul-patch-accented male mouth approximately 40 seconds into the video, the camera was zoomed in to feature the judges’ astonished faces, followed by the speechless audience who were looking at each other at loss, trying to observe if there were others who were startled by Greg’s performance like themselves. This form of a non-verbal interaction was achieved among the audience. Only after recovering from shock could the audiences be able to once again select, organise and interpret what was happening before them. Eventually their perception of him changed from a rock star to the opera singer, giving him a standing ovation near the end of his performance.
I guess Greg might be making use of Novel Stimuli to seek more attention from his audiences, by dressing like rock star, a stark difference from the genre of what he was going to sing. As novel stimuli caused better response compared to normal stimuli, he would be able to leave a deeper impression in the viewers’ minds. I am sure people will remember the rock dresser who sang impressive opera in a mezzo-soprano’s voice for a very long time.
16 comments:
I agree with this blog poster where there is time where we are wrongly assume about someone or even something. Our perspective, our views towards some outlook has mostly shape what we see from that someone or something where it does not actually always right since there are something that we do not know behind it.
I guess what we should do is knowing deeper about a thing or someone before we judge about them.
Assumption is usually innate. If we dig deeper, we realise the reason we assume is because the assumption itself seems logical. You would think that Greg Pritchard's outlook is influenced by rockers and the Rock music that you ASSUME he listens to, and thus come to the LOGICAL conclusion that he's a rocker himself, influenced by the Rock culture.
But of course, Greg's performance surprised us all. And not all of us were surprised in a good way, I might add.
Well, its either based on logic or past experience. However, i do not comprehend HOW he even looks the part of a rocker?? He looks more like an all time slacker to me. The kind that stays at home on his computer for the most part of the day.
The messy hair, the overall dressing, even the way he speaks. Why, because based on experience, his look is in keeping with the look of various slackers that I have had dealings with in the past.
Generalizations based on past experience and observed patterns is only natural for any human. After all is that how we study sciences? Based on observable phenomena and patterns?
On a side, less serious note, you mean he actually reminds you all of a rocker? Those electric guitar strumming people?
yes xamuel, most people had the impression that he was going to sing a rock song.. if you check out some of the longer videos on greg pritchard, pay special attention to the part of the video where he was introducing himself, there was a soft rock style background music... he was meant to be introduced like that i guess..
hi gamemaker,
were you surprised in the good or bad way? No matter what, he is a really great singer.. Though it might take sometime for some of us to accept the fact that opera singers can actually but out of the usual formal wear. Maybe that's what greg wanted to show? Singing classical music does not mean out of fashion.. :)
Heya,
I was surprised in a neutral way, I would say. For me it was just a moment of being stunned. I'm not saying classical music is out of fashion. I personally enjoy it as an artform. But what happens is that Greg actually took several people out of their comfort zones, resulting in their being surprised in a 'bad' way.
I actually heard Greg sing before seeing how he appeared. And before I saw him I actually thought, "That lady is phwoah." x)
Hi everyone,
Just like everyone of you, i was taken aback to hear Greg singing opera so beautifully. I very much expected him to sing a rock or pop song.
In society today there exists a generalization with a person who has a cool hairdo, pierced ears as well as fasionable clothes to someone who would be interested in the latest music. Therefore we perceived Greg as a rock singer.The image that he potrayed was the main reason for our perception.
As such, i feel that people generally perceive others based on their image.
Hmm. But then again, rock music isn't really the 'latest' music.
Hi stefiecaholica,
Yes, no matter how we always try to know a person by looking at his character, it is a fact that we tend to judge people by the first impression we have of them. Its no wonder why people always say the most crucial part of job interviews are the first 5 seconds to 1 minute, where your potential employer looks at the way you dress behaviour and eye contact.
Hi gamemaker,
Listening to Greg before you saw him must have been a totally different experience! I guess whether the surprise is a positive or a nnegative one really depends on the individual. But Seeing that his 'surprise' to us was an intended one, I do hope that he has surprised more people positively then negatively.
Hi Parvin,
Yes we are all subjected to labelling by people. No matter what we do, we will definitely be labelled into certain categories. But the crucial factor that decides whether it is a positive labelling or a negative one depends on whether that person likes or dislikes you. the same actions can actually be interpreted and seen from different angles.
I suppose this is another good example of how we usually judge a book by its cover. The program Britain's Got Talent has certainly revealed several people who defy stereotypes, such as this guy and Susan Boyle.
The important lesson to be learned is that appearances are only skin deep, and it is only when we look deep within a person that we know who they truly are. Whatever the case, we should not label someone based on how they look, as it is an unfair judgement of that individual.
This guy seriously amazed me. But I have to agree that looks do deceive. Who would have thought that a guy with the typical rocker look would sing opera. Looks can do you bad at times as well.
Well you see, try dressing up as a punk and walk around the neighbourhood. If anything bad happens, and you happen to be the only one who looks "suspicious", you will be the first person everyone comes after. Sad right? But that's the cold hard fact.
i love how everyone assumed that he was going to sing a rock song or something and were looking at him doubtfully. however, when he did open his mouth to sing, he totally blew everyone away.Everyone has the perception that if one looks a certain way, one will be a certain way. BUT when one does change that perception one way or the other, it is not that easy to accept it. Like how one just assumes that a dark skinned person is from a certain background while a fair skinned one from another and when it turns out to be totally the opposite, it is just not that easy to accept it.
A person's perception is set through a period of time which is not easy to change within a period of time. So, anyone and everyone needs a fresh eye to look at things from a whole new perception.=)
well i would just like to comment on he person who called Greg a slacker stay at home,this young man is a well known horse rider and has won a mountain of ribbons and medals and cups,why does everyone assume he is something he is not you have to get to know a person before you can even presume to know what you are talking about,and i can assure you im know what i am talkiong about Greg is the most pleasantly new talent to come out of wales in years wish everyone would see that.
Greg is also a very talented singer,it is the Britains Got Talents loss as this young man has got the most amazing voice ,since BGT he has had singing lessons and i can only say he has improved so much he is a joy to listen to and simply a joy to know,so come on Greg lets show all the doubters you can do it.
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