Anthony Hoffman, Utah Valley University
Social and Behavioral Sciences
During World War II, the Germans occupied two places that have often been overlooked in the history books since: Guernsey in the Channel Islands and the nation of Denmark. Both are strikingly similar in terms of World War II history and overall treatment by the Germans. In contrast, both are strikingly dissimilar in terms of reaction to the Germans, treatment of each other, treatment of other minority groups within their own countries, etc. It is the similarity that provides the ability for these two places to be compared, which in turn provides a context for the dissimilarity to be studied within. The bulk of information for this research comes from the written histories about those countries during World War II, as well as available individual and personal accounts within each group such as diaries, histories, memoirs, etc. The framework that will be used for interpreting the dissimilarities will take a psychological/social psychological approach, drawing on works from researchers such as Milgram, Darley, Latane, and Shergill, to name a few. The focus of this research is centered on the following question: why do people in very similar circumstances have drastically different reactions? It is expected that this research will shed more light on the reasons for why one individual or group of people reacts one way under bad circumstances, while another individual or group under the same circumstances reacts differently. A better understanding of this phenomenon can help individuals, groups, and nations know how to best help those suffering in the world both today and in the future.