Argumentative Essay:

Bystander Effect,
Obedience, Morality
Holocaust Response

Write an argumentative essay to give your
position to the following question:

SHOULD THE GERMAN BYSTANDERS BE
HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS?

What notes you need:
Kitty Genevese Bystander Effect
Bibb Latane and John Darley When Bystanders Join
In; What makes people remain bystanders and others
become actors in situations?
The German Bystanders Guilt vs. Diffusion of
Responsibility, Guilty Act vs. Guilty Mind
Stanley Milgram Obedience Experiment Factors of
Obedience
Lawrence Kohlbergs Moral Development Theory

Class Discussion
Questions:
How is the bystander effect and diffusion of responsibility related to
the case of the Holocaust? (We looked at the bystanders at Belsen
Camp - Holocaust video, or you can use your own examples and
knowledge)
Use the findings from the Kitty Genovese and Bystander Effect
case to support your arguments.
What were some of the main reasons the German people gave for
their lack of action at the Belsen Concentration Camp or in the
example you used?
Is this rationale just/fair in the fact that they allowed the Nazis to
continue the assault on Jews and other groups of people?
How does Stanley Milgrams experiment, and the factors of
obedience help us to understand the actions of many German
people during this time?
How can Kohlbergs theory help us to understand the actions of the
bystanders?
What stage(s) of Kohlbergs Morality Theory applies to the case of
the German bystanders?

Brainstorming To be done
in class.
What is the position your essay will take?
What is the first argument that will explain your position?
This argument must be connected to the issue of the Holocaust and the
German Bystanders
How does your argument connect to some aspect of the Bystander
Theory.
What is the second argument that will explain your position?
Discuss how Stanley Milgrams Obedience Study helps you explain your
position.
Make sure to use a different example and explanation of how this
argument proves your position on the German Bystanders and the
Holocaust.
What is the third argument that will explain your position?
Make sure to use a different example and explanation of how this
argument proves your position on the German Bystanders and the
Holocaust than you did in your first two arguments.
How can Kohlbergs theory help us to understand the actions of the
bystanders? What stage(s) of Kohlbergs Morality Theory applies to the
case of the German bystanders?

Format for your essay:
Introduction Paragraph: Introduce your topic. State
your opinion, this is your thesis. List/briefly explain your
3 points that you will expand on in your body
paragraphs.
Your 3 Arguments: You must have 3 separate
arguments. For each argument, use evidence and
examples from the course content, theories and case
studies to explain your opinion. You must provide one
strong example related to the Holocaust and a theory
explanation per paragraph. Follow your brainstorming
questions.
Conclusion: Summarize your main points. Explain
how a topic within current society is still connected to
the bystander effect and obedience theories.
Success Criteria
Make sure to specifically follow the success
criteria.
Do not lose marks senselessly.
Hand in your work on time.

Due Date: _____________________________