Need some help ASAP

[lkdjioa]

So, I was reading Viktor Frankl today and one thing that struck me was his description of concentration camp prisoners and how they avoided making decisions.

Specifically, he described how even though they were aware of their impending deaths, it was easier for them not to attempt to escape because doing so would lead to them accepting responsibility for their deaths if caught. And the idea of that was more aversive than accepting their fate at the whims of the Nazis.

I'm wondering if anyone knows any research surrounding this idea that in high risk situations where there is low possibility of gain (ie. low chance of escaping and actually making it), it's emotionally easier to accept fate?

I was thinking risk aversion but none of the literature I've found so far is quite what I'm looking for. Any suggestions on potential search phrases or even better, a name and a year for a related publication would be much appreciated!

[grasshopper]

Speaking from personal experience rather than with reference to any publication, I can attest that there is an extremely powerful stupefying effect that sets in when one is confronted with overwhelming force of arms, as was likely the case with the concentration camp victims you mentioned.   Here is my short anecdote, for all it is worth. 

A few years back I was among bank customers forced to assume the felony prone position in a bank lobby, as a delegation of heavily armed gentlemen in 3-piece suits emptied the full vault into a waiting van outside.  As the operation wound down, the gang opened up with a variety of automatic weapons, firing into the ceiling both to keep their captive audience on best behavior, and to keep the cops at bay as the visitors prepared to depart with their cash withdrawal.

Suddenly forced to my feet as those booms rent the air while shell casings showered the floor, I was ordered into the air-tight vault, whereopun I remember suddenly feeling twice my age and completely uncoordinated as I shuffled my way towards the vault with the other captives, my mind dulled to a near catatonic state by the primal fear of suffocating to death in a sealed metal room.   With the prospects of making a movie-style break for freedom foreclosed from the get-go, I will recollect that day as one in which I was essentially aboard for the ride, with absolutely no idea how it would all end, and not so much as the slightest inkling of how to change that fate for the better.

I hope this helps shed some light.

[S. Earl Martin]

I am a person who by nature tends to assume authority. I have been involved in a number of situations where action was required and most people involved just stood there. Even when it was obvious that people needed help. I would take charge and give people orders and the majority of times they would follow them. Even if it meant endangering themselves. In my experience people don't react because they don't know how to react. Or they fear making the situation worse. If there is someone there who gives orders or leads they will be more willing to take chances. In the case of the Nazi's. They looked for anyone who appeared to be a leader or who resisted in any way and made an example of them. This supressed the urge to resist in anyone else. Terror is a very powerful weapon. The fight or flight response can be supressed by extreme fear. Making people do whatever they are told or even succumbing to the Stockholm syndrome. In Croatia families were forced to torture each other. Or to have sex with each other. The oppressors videotaped it and just laughed. Fear can make people react in many ways.

This is why many children who are abused have mental problems when they grow up. They are trained to react or not react in a certain way and when they are older they can't escape the training. They may fear getting close to someone because they are afraid of getting hurt. They may not be able to enjoy sex or contact because of memories of the past. Our experiences and our fears can influence us in ways we are not conscious of.

As far as the bank robbery goes. In a situation like that it is best to do what it takes to survive and to try and not upset the robbers. The odds of success in resisting armed criminals in a situation like that is very slim. You survived and obviously you did what you had to do. Peace!