HW assignment due – Thurs 23 rd January YOUR task is to prepare a pp presentation on a key issue of your choice. It must be relevant to today’s society. You need to apply concepts, theories and/or research (as appropriate) drawn from the Social Approach to explain the issue.

Here is an example Suitable examples: blind obedience to authority in a prison setting (for example the Abu Ghraib situation) obedience during conflict resulting in harm to others (for example My Lai Massacre, Vietnam 1968) football violence race riots (for example St Paul’s, Bristol 1980) cult behaviour. The Holocaust

Massacre at My Lai March 16, 1968

Where is My Lai? My Lai is in the South Vietnamese district of Son My. During the Vietnam war it was a heavily mined area of Vietcong entrenchment. My Lai is in the South Vietnamese district of Son My. During the Vietnam war it was a heavily mined area of Vietcong entrenchment.

On March 16, 1968, the men of Charlie Company; 23 rd infantry division,entered the village of My Lai. They were under the command of On March 16, 1968, the men of Charlie Company; 23 rd infantry division,entered the village of My Lai. They were under the command of Captain Ernest Medina. 1 st Platoon was led by 2 nd Lt. William Calley There then ensued the There then ensued the Mass Murder of between unarmed citizens. Mass Murder of between unarmed citizens. Some of whom were sexually abused.

Timeline of events First arrivals were Lieutenant Calley and the First Platoon. First arrivals were Lieutenant Calley and the First Platoon. The mission of the First Platoon was to secure the landing area for the helicopters. The mission of the First Platoon was to secure the landing area for the helicopters. This was shortly after eight in the morning. This was shortly after eight in the morning. After securing the landing area, the First Platoon entered the village of My Lai. After securing the landing area, the First Platoon entered the village of My Lai. Calley ordered his men to enter the village firing, though there had been no report of opposition fire. Soon, the “search and destroy” mission had degenerated into the massacre of over 300 apparently unarmed civilians, which included women, children, and the elderly- all in the course of three hours. Calley ordered his men to enter the village firing, though there had been no report of opposition fire. Soon, the “search and destroy” mission had degenerated into the massacre of over 300 apparently unarmed civilians, which included women, children, and the elderly- all in the course of three hours.

Victims of My Lai Families who had huddled together for safety in huts or bunkers were shown no mercy. Families who had huddled together for safety in huts or bunkers were shown no mercy. Those who surrendered with their hands held high were murdered. Those who surrendered with their hands held high were murdered. Women were gang raped. Women were gang raped. Vietnamese who had bowed to greet the Americans were beaten with fists and tortured. Vietnamese who had bowed to greet the Americans were beaten with fists and tortured. Some victims were mutilated with the signature “C Company” carved into the chest. Some victims were mutilated with the signature “C Company” carved into the chest.

Lt. Calley was said to have rounded up a group of the villagers, ordered them into a ditch, and mowed them down in a blast of machine gun fire. Lt. Calley was said to have rounded up a group of the villagers, ordered them into a ditch, and mowed them down in a blast of machine gun fire.

Cover-up It took more than a year for the shocking story of the My Lai massacre to reach the news stands. It took more than a year for the shocking story of the My Lai massacre to reach the news stands. Medina realized that the news of the event could cause trouble. For instance, “when he was questioned by a superior, he maintained that between 20 and 28 civilians had been killed by gun-ship and artillery fire.” Medina realized that the news of the event could cause trouble. For instance, “when he was questioned by a superior, he maintained that between 20 and 28 civilians had been killed by gun-ship and artillery fire.” Medina’s account of “the events was echoed in a report submitted in a month later by the commander of the 11th Infantry Brigade, Colonel Oran K Henderson. 20 civilians had been killed inadvertently, he claimed.” Medina’s account of “the events was echoed in a report submitted in a month later by the commander of the 11th Infantry Brigade, Colonel Oran K Henderson. 20 civilians had been killed inadvertently, he claimed.” However, rumors began to be spread of the true events that had occurred at My Lai. However, rumors began to be spread of the true events that had occurred at My Lai.

Charges and Pardons On March 29, 1970, Lieutenant Calley was found guilty of the murder of at least 33 “oriental human beings, occupants of the village of My Lai, whose names and sexes are unknown, by means of shooting them with a rifle.” On March 29, 1970, Lieutenant Calley was found guilty of the murder of at least 33 “oriental human beings, occupants of the village of My Lai, whose names and sexes are unknown, by means of shooting them with a rifle.” Calley was dishonorably discharged and sentenced to life in Leavenworth Prison. Calley was dishonorably discharged and sentenced to life in Leavenworth Prison. The sentence was reduced to 20 years by President Nixon. The sentence was reduced to 20 years by President Nixon. In 1974, after serving just three years, Calley was pardoned by Nixon. In 1974, after serving just three years, Calley was pardoned by Nixon.

Links with Agency Theory. Milgram’s agency theory can help to explain the events of the My Lai Massacre. It could be argued that Calley and his officers were in an ‘agentic state’ during the massacre. They did not take personal responsibility for the massacre. They believed they were ‘simply following orders’. Stanley Milgram.

Link to SIT According to Tajfel people naturally Categorise others into people who are like them and those who are not. According to Tajfel people naturally Categorise others into people who are like them and those who are not. People Identify with those they perceived as similar. People Identify with those they perceived as similar. Comparisons are then made with people in the ‘out group’. Comparisons are then made with people in the ‘out group’.

Inter-group Discrimination Tajfel’s research demonstrated that ‘in group bias’, and discrimination against the out group could be created easily; even when the criteria for group identity was flimsy/minimal Tajfel’s research demonstrated that ‘in group bias’, and discrimination against the out group could be created easily; even when the criteria for group identity was flimsy/minimal

Task Choose a key Issue that interests you. Choose a key Issue that interests you. Create a power point presentation including images. Create a power point presentation including images. Describe your Key Issue Describe your Key Issue Explain WHY it is an issue Explain WHY it is an issue Explain the key issue in terms of and or Social Identity Theory Explain the key issue in terms of Agency theory and or Social Identity Theory