The Social Influences of the My Lai Massacre
The Social Influences of the My Lai Massacre
Tabitha Harkness
University of the Rockies
Abstract
Humanistic theory states that in all people there is a basis for goodness and respect for other beings. However, though there is a basis, it is not always at play. Human beings also have the propensity and the capacity, but more to the point, very often are swayed from this general course by their social interactions. These social interactions have been known to work as a double edged sword; working both to the benefit and a show of goodness to their fellows, as in the case of “Baby Jessica” McClure—encouraging and pooling together to help free her from the well. But the other side of the edge, it is a detriment such as in the case of The My Lai massacre where goodness was overrun in the face of negative and blind devotion to “groupthink” and racism.
The Social Influences of the My Lai Massacre In many studies done by social scientists and psychologists, the idea and strength of social interactions upon the individual leading to ordinary people behaving extraordinarily evil has been dissected thoroughly (Post, 2011). Will power, or the ability and strength to make and act on one’s own decisions, exists in all men, of course, but the power of those that hold authority and a person’s peers seems to have equal—if not sometimes more—manifested exertion and control over an individual’s actions and thoughts. This, thereby, leads people that would normally act in a morally responsible way to behave in the contrary and perform acts out of character with a humanistic ideology. In the American culture, individualism is celebrated, but the social belonging that each individual values and craves also causes a need to conform, at times, to very strong societal influences that may develop into actions that are evil and cruel, such as with the My Lai Massacre in Vietnam. The My Lai Massacre was one of the most horrific displays of needless violence
Tabitha Harkness
University of the Rockies
Abstract
Humanistic theory states that in all people there is a basis for goodness and respect for other beings. However, though there is a basis, it is not always at play. Human beings also have the propensity and the capacity, but more to the point, very often are swayed from this general course by their social interactions. These social interactions have been known to work as a double edged sword; working both to the benefit and a show of goodness to their fellows, as in the case of “Baby Jessica” McClure—encouraging and pooling together to help free her from the well. But the other side of the edge, it is a detriment such as in the case of The My Lai massacre where goodness was overrun in the face of negative and blind devotion to “groupthink” and racism.
The Social Influences of the My Lai Massacre In many studies done by social scientists and psychologists, the idea and strength of social interactions upon the individual leading to ordinary people behaving extraordinarily evil has been dissected thoroughly (Post, 2011). Will power, or the ability and strength to make and act on one’s own decisions, exists in all men, of course, but the power of those that hold authority and a person’s peers seems to have equal—if not sometimes more—manifested exertion and control over an individual’s actions and thoughts. This, thereby, leads people that would normally act in a morally responsible way to behave in the contrary and perform acts out of character with a humanistic ideology. In the American culture, individualism is celebrated, but the social belonging that each individual values and craves also causes a need to conform, at times, to very strong societal influences that may develop into actions that are evil and cruel, such as with the My Lai Massacre in Vietnam. The My Lai Massacre was one of the most horrific displays of needless violence
References: Cookman, C. (2007). An American Atrocity: The My Lai Massacre Concretized in a Victim’s Face. The Journal of American History, 94(1), 154-162. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/224929536?accountid=39364 Fiske, S. T., Gilbert, D. T., & Lindzey, G. (Eds.) (2010). Handbook of social psychology (5th ed.,Vol. 1). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons Mcleod, S. (2007). The Milgrim Experiment. Retrieved from http://www.simplypsy-chology.org/milgram.html My Lai Massacre. (2013). History.com. Retrieved from http://www.history.com/topics/my-lai-massacre Post, J.M. & Panis, L.K. (2011). Crimes of Obedience: “Groupthink” at Abu Ghraib. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 61(1), 48-66. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1521/ijgp.2011.61.1.48.