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colleen colleen
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Posts: 17077
11 years ago
Describe the four characterizations of dehumanization. Apply these to how U.S. soldiers have responded to the enemy in World War II, Vietnam, or the Persian Gulf Wars.
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Educator
11 years ago
Four characterizations of dehumanization, the process of reducing people to objects that do not deserve to be treated as humans, have been identified. They include: Increased emotional distance from others. Some people no longer see others as having qualities similar to theirs. Instead the others are seen as objects. The Japanese, Germans, Vietnamese, and Iraqis were called derogatory names and considered as subhuman. This is actually a necessity for a citizen soldier to wage war and kill people he has never met (trust me). An emphasis on following procedures. Procedures are not questioned as they are seen as a means to an end. It relieves the soldier who is the instrument of destruction from being responsible for his actions. Dropping bombs on civilian targets were simply following orders. Inability to resist pressures. Fears of losing occupational security, the respect of one's peers, or having one's integrity and loyalty questioned take priority over individual moral decisions. An enlisted man trying to tell the officer what he is or isn't going to do becomes chaotic and subject to court marshal. A diminished sense of personal responsibility. People see themselves as only carrying out orders and are not responsible for what they do. The people giving the orders are viewed as having more complete or even secret information that justifies issuing these orders. Most soldiers take the position, "It is not ours to wonder why...but only ours to do and die."
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