There have been numerous examples in history of groups being considered “successful” because they achieved their ultimate goals, but in hindsight, the goals of the group led to individuals doing things that many of us find unforgiveable and incomprehensible.  The power of groups is extremely influential, and we sometimes lose our sense of self when we try to identify with the other members of our groups.  Groups also have a tendency to make an individual minimize their own role and responsibility, leading to uncharacteristic behavior.  Through examining some of the most “successful” groups in history, we are better able to understand how group membership promotes behavior and attitudes, and can greatly distort one’s sense of self and actions. 

• Choose an event in history that as greatly influenced by group membership dynamics and interactions. Some possible examples include:

The treatment of prisoners in Nazi Concentration Camps
The Jonestown Massacres
The Rodney King riots
David Koresh and the Waco Cult
The failure of engineers to bring up concerns in the Challenger Disaster

• Write a 2-page double spaced response in which you explore social psychological theories associated with group membership and its effect on individual behavior.  In your response, discuss specific characteristics of your chosen incident and group that led individual members to act in ways that may have been uncharacteristic to their true persona.  Pay close attention to concepts like deindividuation, a diminished sense of self-responsibility, and groupthink when exploring how group memberships promote attitudes and behaviors.