Final Reflection: IS THERE A NAZI IN ALL OF US?
We all like to think that we are GOOD people, and that we act in the best interests of humanity. But do we? For example, how do we answer the questions, 'How did Hitler get everyday people to do such horrific things?' and would I do such things if I was told to? or 'is it easier to go along with something that you might think is wrong, than disobey and stand up for what is right?'
The answers to these questions can be found in the following experiments that delve into the human psyche and demonstrate how much we are a product of social conditioning and exposure to behaviour.
A Look Back...
Eric Fromm a German philosopher who escaped the Holocaust wrote in 1942 the book The Fear of Freedom. He claimed that 'many people displayed the simultaneous presence of sadistic and masochistic drives.' According to Fromm, people liked having power over other people (even to the point of being able to hurt them), but also liked being 'bossed around' by other people. Having power over other (Sadism) provided personal satisfaction; being dominated by other (masochism) provided a sense of security.
Perhaps Hitler himself understood this very well. Here is something he wrote in Mein Kampf.
Like a Woman... who will submit to the strong man rather than dominate the weakling, thus the masses love the ruler than the suppliant, and inwardly they are far more satisfied by a doctrine that tolerates no rival than by the grant of liberals freedom; they often feel at a loss what to do with it (freedom), and even easily feel themselves deserted. Adolf Hitler (1939) Mein Kampf
- According to Hitler here, what system do people prefer? Do you agree?
- What does Hitler claim many people feel about freedom?
- Ask yourself, is this different to the society in which you live today? Where and how so?
Lets run a quick survey... Post your responses to these questions below on Twitter to see what everyone thinks about freedom, authority and obedience:
- In most things I do, I prefer to be told what to do, rather than have to decide for myself: ALOT OFTEN SELDOM NEVER
- Where possible in the things I do, I like to be the boss: ALOT OFTEN SELDOM NEVER
Who knows, perhaps in another time YOU TOO might have simply followed an order and taken part of what has come to be known as one of the greatest stains on humanity - The Holocaust. While watching the following clips, post YOUR ideas, opinions, statements, and questions relating to the focus questions (highlighted in blue) and responses to others' in the class on TWITTER and let's keep the critical and introspective thinking going!
ACTIVITY: In groups, answer the question above making reference to the Milgrim Experiment. Then further support your response with an example from your group where someone has followed orders unquestionably even though it was morally wrong - it may be a personal experience or one of another person. One person will publish your group's response below on the blog.
Now lets move forward to the 1970s and look at another experiment that shocked the world. Here is another great example of human beviour as a direct result of social conditioning. This experiment again makes us pause and ask the question, 'am I capable of doing horrible things to people if I am told it is ok by someone of authority?' Take a look and then let's discuss your opinions on the questions raised so far.
Much of this material is adapted from Hoepper et al. (1991) Inquiry 1, Jacaranda.
Maybe there is not a Nazi in all of us... Let's take a look at the historical figure of OSCAR SCHINDLER as portrayed in film!
Oskar Schindler (28 April 1908 – 9 October 1974) was an ethnic German industrialist, German spy, and member of the Nazi party who is credited with saving the lives of over 1,200[1][2] Jews during the Holocaust by employing them in his enamelware and ammunitions factories, which were located in what is now Poland and the Czech Republic respectively.[3] He is the subject of the 1982 novel Schindler's Ark, and the 1993 film based on it, Schindler's List[4] which highlights the contradictory trajectory of an opportunistic and amoral man initially motivated by profit, who came to show extraordinary initiative, tenacity and dedication in order to save the lives of his Jewish employees, ending his life in poverty.
(SOURCE: Wikipedia)
(SOURCE: Wikipedia)
ACTIVITY:
As we travel through the film (a finishing touch to this unit) note information into two categories in the ShamblesPad below,
- information that supports the argument that Oskar Schindler was a moral and just man that always wanted to save Jewish lives throughout the Holocaust;
- information that supports the argument that Oskar Schindler was a 'pragmatist'; he simply used an opportunistic time to benefit himself: make money from exploiting cheap Jewish Labour throughout the Holocaust, and didn't really care for the welfare of the Jewish community.
Then, its up to you to decide which of the two arguments is stronger. Remeber that we are basing our judgement on the dramatic representation of this historical figure in film. You may wish to conduct some further research into Oskar Schindler before making up your mind - and rightfully so!
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What are the tendencies of our classroom?
ReplyDeleteThe first questions data shows that a higher percentage of the class is masochistic, they often like being told what to do.
The second questions data shows that the class is halve and halve, halve the class like being told what to do, how to act and behave, the other class prefers to make their own decisions.
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In the class room, the students are more masochistic than Sadistic. Graph one (masochistic) showed that 7 people often like to be told what to do and only 4 people in the class like to be told what they have to do. This might be because they have been told what to do have seldom have the power to boss people around.
ReplyDeleteMostly, the tendency of our class is masochistic. According to the data, most people prefer to be told what to do, masochism. Less than half the class is sadistic, preferring to telling people what to do. Majority of the class prefer to be told what to do.
ReplyDeleteThe data shows that as a class there is a higher percentage of masochistic tendencies in reference to the first survey question.
ReplyDeletethe results of the second question show that the class is split in two as half the class like to tell others what to do and get things done, where the other half like to be told what to do
According to the first pie graph, our class is mainly masochistic. This means that our class is quiet and would prefer to sit back and follow the teacher rather than take the learning in their own hands. Less than half of us are sadistic which corroborates with the class's masochistic tendencies.
ReplyDeleteWhat are the tendencies of our class?
ReplyDeleteThe data collected from the first question shows that a majority/higher percentage of our class often prefers to be told what to do.
The data collected from the second questions shows that more than half the class often like to be in control and boss others around.
According to the data, more students in the class have masochistic tendencies, being told what to do by others, while only half of the class have Sadistic tendencies, telling others what to do. This might have been caused by past events, current events or events that cannot be changed.
ReplyDeleteIn our class, more people tend to be masochistic rather then to dominate over others. However not many people are majorly sadistic or masochistic, either picking the often or seldom option, showing that most are either happy with being told what to do or like telling people what to do.
ReplyDeleteIs there a Nazi in all of us?
ReplyDeleteThe collection of data demonstrates to us that this class is more masochistic than sadistic. This means that we prefer to be pushed and bossed around rather than own the power and independence of being in control. From this we can see that we believe that having some control over us is a good thing and what we prefer.
a)often
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People simply follow orders because the person looked like an authority figure , meaning they were thought to be trustworth. It's the way it's always been and even most of the men who tried to stand up for the person being shocked kept going because they were being reassured by this person in a white coat at Yale University. A modern example of this would be being peer pressured into drinking because everyone else does it. There's so much positivity about drinking because it's seen as the only way to have fun at a party. If you want to be "cool", you drink.
ReplyDelete1) We follow orders because we are brought up to do as authority figures tell us. In the Milgrim experiment the teacher invested their trust into the experimenter because they believed that he knew best and he could take responsibility if anything were to happen to the student. They also feared the consequences of not following the orders.
ReplyDelete2) Parents convincing us to take a certain path even though we may not agree with it. We trust they know what is best for us and don't always question their reasoning.
Natalie, Louise and Maggie
ReplyDelete1. People follow orders simply because authority figures reassure the person that what they are doing is ok and accepted, the responsibility isn't on them, and as they are being told by a "scientific expert". As shown in the Milgram experiment when participants thought what they were doing was morally wrong and wanted to stop, they were instructed by the "authority figure" to continue as if they didn't the experiment would discontinue, this added pressure to the participant, and ultimaley made them follow the instructions given to them.
2. A modern example from our lives is "school yard bullying" not the bullier but the by standers follow orders from the bullier.
People follow orders due to many reasons. Such as concern for the self/ self protection. If people fear that they may be harmed if they do not follow orders, they are likely to just do as they are told for some people, it is easier to hear of someone else's pain and ignore it rather that to feel pain for them self. People also follow orders to fit in rather than become a social outcast. For example a teenager who was well aware of their severe peanut allergy was told by some friends to eat peanut butter and so he did, and he had a sever reaction and passed away.
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