Social Control In Lord Of The Flies, By William Golding

An individuals need for control is a common personality trait that can be found within people all over the world. Social control comes from the insecurity of having ones ideas oppressed or disregarded. Allowing one person to maintain control can lead to conflict among a group setting. Conflict among people arises due to different desires, motivations, or interest. Therefore, social control is necessary to make sure individuals and groups behave in ways which are considered acceptable and beneficial for the entirety of society. In the novel, “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding social control was initially a staple that kept the group in order. Once the boy’s authority was tested chaos began to breakout and the children began to act like savages.

In a group setting, of which is trying to accomplish a common goal the need for a leader is prominent. However, the authority that comes along with being a leader often leads to narcissistic behaviors. The leader tells people what to do because of what they believe is best for the advancement of said group. Author Michael Skapinker states, "All people, especially leaders, need a healthy dose of narcissism in order to survive. It's the engine that drives leadership. Assertiveness, self-confidence, tenacity and creativity just can't exist without it"(Skapinker). The role of leadership requires a certain personality that will allow the group to move forward. It is the narcissistic tendencies that makes it possible for advancement. Without someone who believes what they are saying to be correct groups of people will never have a clear objective. Signs of positive narcissism include self-confidence which is much more helpful than a person whom doubts themselves because it would be impossible to inspire others without believing in themselves first. The passion to create and build new opportunities comes from the mind of a narcissistic leader because they have the vision of what the end goal is supposed to look like. However, it is difficult for others to get along with narcissistic people since a disagreement is bound to

One can determine what causes these emotions to arise and how to find a solution to maintain peace. Meanwhile, working on what caused the situation and how it can be resolved calmly is the optimal way to deal with conflict among people. In the magazine written by Ali Chouhule she states, “Once you are calm, you can express your anger in non-confrontational way. Instead of focusing on what made you lose your temper, try working on resolving the issue that drives you crazy. It is best to remember always that anger doesn't fix anything, neither does it improve anything. On the contrary, it makes things worse. Holding grudge also doesn't work. Instead let positive feeling crowd out negative feelings which will make you feel better”(Chouhule). Conflict resolution is an important skill that can help individuals and groups work through disagreements and come to a peaceful resolution. One effective way to resolve conflicts calmly is through open communication and active listening. This involves expressing your own perspective in a calm and respectful manner, while also taking the time to actively listen to the other person's point of view. It is important to focus on the problem at hand, rather than attacking the person, and to seek mutually beneficial solutions that can address everyone's concerns. Additionally, taking a break or stepping away from the situation for a period of time can help to diffuse tensions and allow