Prejudice In The Holocaust

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CASE STUDY: THE HOLOCAUST Prejudice is any preconceived attitude, opinion or feeling towards an individual or group of people, which could be either favourable or unfavourable. Most psychologists consider the holocaust in relation to prejudice. The holocaust was a specific period in the 20th century where the Jews were systematically persecuted and annihilated by the Nazi’s. During this era, the handicapped were also targeted. Millions more including: homosexuals, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Soviet (Russian) prisoners of war, and citizens who didn’t agree, died under the Nazi tyranny as well. In order to complete this assignment, I will vividly examine the theories and factors of prejudice in the holocaust and how it may have been avoided.…show more content…
It can also be defined as Altruism. Whereas, Fiske (2004) describes Anti-social behaviour as: “any behaviour whose proximate intention is to harm another person”. Anti-social behaviour is usually linked to a type of aggression. In society, Instrumental, Pro-social and sanctioned aggression is seen to be right. This is because it is either a means to an end, to prevent further aggressive behaviour or is permitted/ excused. The Relative deprivation theory refers to the discontent people feel when they compare their positions to others and realize that they have less than them. In relation to the Relative deprivation theory, Adolf Hitler was a junior ranked officer who had to fight front-line battles for his country and went through thick and thin to stay alive which lead to his frustration and made him as aggressive as he was. While he went through this pain, there were other Jewish people who were enjoying the luxury of life or lived in a stable…show more content…
When discussing social influence, the following words are to be considered: compliance, obedience and conformity. Compliance is the tendency to agree to do what is requested especially if there are certain factors present: a feeling that there is give and take, believability, likeability, limited supply and positive feedback from others. Compliance is where a majority influence a minority. At the time of the holocaust, the Germans were a majority whereas the Jews were the minority. Even though Zimbardo (1973) performed his experiment on prisoners, it is clear that when there is power, the subordinates will have to comply. Asch’s (1951) paradigm also makes clear that minorities are usually vulnerable when it comes to majority and
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