Psychological Analysis of the Iraq War
...wo cards. On the first card there were three lines, all of different lengths. On the second card there was a line. The line matched the one on the first card. The experimenter went around and asked each person which line on the first card matched the line on the second card. The first time that the experimenter went around the match was correct and the dissenter was comfortable with the situation. On the second time around, the person that went first acknowledged the incorrect line after all of the other subjects also acknowledged the incorrect line. When the question got to the dissenter, the entire experiment was based on whether or not he would comply with the group or go with what he knows is the correct answer. He, of course, went along with the group and the entire experiment proved the aspect of social conformity (WRAC). With a researcher having performed an experiment such as that of the Solomon and Ash experiment, many psychologists agree that this is one of the reasons why Abu Ghraib occurred. Moreover, in respect to social equality, women soldiers may feel that since they have the same advantages as men in the military, they have to do the same as their counter partner to keep respect. The women that participated in the acts were Spc. Megan Ambuhl, Pfc., Lynndie England and Spc. Sabrina Harman (whrnet). These women all agree that they were acting in respects to their male commanders. This explanation may explain why women are more likely to conform to social behaviors as oppose to men. But, women are not the only group willing to comply with outrageous orders given to them by their commanders. Soldiers as entire groups are all faced with the reality of social conformity. Soldiers are trained to defend their country, therefore, they feel that they are obligated to do what their commander has commanded of them or the country and other soldiers will look down on them. Those that feel as if they do not necessarily conform to their surroundings emphasize the characteristic of freewill. Another explanation of Abu Ghraib is the fact that soldier’s posses freewill and they use that to their advantage. Many soldiers felt as if their detainees posed a big threat to them and their country and they wanted them to be punished. The fact that they had control over the prisons gave them a choice to do as they please and not think about what their real purpose was. The purpose was not to torture the prisoners, but to keep America safe. Moreover, soldiers are expected to act in compliance to what their commanders’ order. So, even though it seems that the soldiers possessed free will, there is also the notion that they were coerced to engage in these powerful and harmful acts. The psychological aspect of the prisoner abuse scandal may be a little harder to decipher, but can provide logical reasoning as to why people react in certain ways to difficult situations. The psychoanalytical reasoning as to why some people adhere to such commands may be found in a person’s natural response in obedience to authority. Soldiers have to obey their commander’s orders. The problem is that many soldiers are faced with a hard decision: The soldiers could do as their commanders wish and go against the moral authority, or the soldiers can disregard their commanders orders and risk losing their military status. This is further supported by Breckler’s statement that “people accept influence of an authority to cause profound harm to another person.” While obedience to authority is relevant, we have to look at the fact that people show considerable and stable indivi...