Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2018 Groupthink Among German, British, American, and Soviet Leaders During the Holocaust Alan Woolf Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Jewish Studies Commons, and the Organizational Behavior and Theory Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Alan Woolf has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Amy Hakim, Committee Chairperson, Psychology Faculty Dr. Eric Hickey, Committee Member, Psychology Faculty Dr. Andrea Goldstein, University Reviewer, Psychology Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2018 1 Abstract Groupthink Among German, British, American, and Soviet Leaders During the Holocaust by Alan Woolf Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy General Psychology Walden University August 2018 2 Abstract Understanding the psychology behind the perpetrators of the Holocaust has been difficult because experiments on conformity and obedience cannot readily simulate the reality of the Holocaust. There exists historical documentation surrounding the leaders of the Nazi organization instrumental for the perpetration of the Holocaust, but the underlying motives of Hitler’s leaders relating to governmental policies of systematic extermination of the Jews in Europe, are not known, as the strategy and operationalization of the actions were kept extremely secret, disguised by euphemisms, or only discussed verbally. This research study was to further understand the thought processes behind the manipulation tactics applied by leaders of the Nazi organization, and the leaders of Britain, America, and the Soviet Union during the Holocaust, by reviewing their personal writings, communiques, and orders. The theoretical base used was the theory of groupthink by Janis, because it is most applicable to understanding complex human psychology. The research questions of the study were: a) to find the origins of the Final Solution, why it gained acceptance by the Nazis, and the role of anti-Semitism ; and b) to identify groupthink symptom language relating to German, British, American, and Soviet leaders during the Holocaust. A qualitative multiple retro-historical case study methodology was selected. Data were collected and analyzed from archival material and groupthink theory was found to be ideally suited to the study of the Holocaust. Translation of a period of Alfred Rosenberg’s diary relating to Hitler’s issuance of the “Hitler Extermination Order,” was discovered. The results show areas for further research, including the translation into English of the Alfred Rosenberg diary that was lost to history for over 60 years. The findings of this research study will hopefully help organizational psychologists to better remedy groupthink practices. 3 Groupthink Among German, British, American, and Soviet Leaders During the Holocaust by Alan Woolf Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy General Psychology Walden University August 2018 4 Dedication This dissertation is dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust who are entitled to have the Holocaust investigated as an ongoing research topic until all relevant evidence is obtained for researchers to study. This is so that history can reflect the true and full account of this most terrible tragedy that befell humanity. Only by disclosing all the facts and teaching people the world over the history of the Holocaust is there any hope that it shall never repeat itself. The full investigation of the Holocaust will hopefully also assist in the abolition of current and future genocides and aggressive warfare and enforce the punishment of all who attempt to incite, plan, or commit such crimes against humanity and war crimes. This dissertation attempts to portray a solemn research study that is dedicated to the millions of Holocaust victims, and which included most of my family in Europe who perished. Of vital importance is the need for ongoing Holocaust research due to the constant unearthing of new evidence, particularly that which has been recently declassified 73 years after the Holocaust by governments who uncaringly have ignored and denied justice and truth for the victims who were murdered during humanities darkest period in history. 5 Acknowledgements I would like to thank my wife and my family for supporting me during the last nine years, which has now culminated in this doctoral dissertation. I would also like to thank my dissertation committee Chairlady, Dr. Amy Hakim, and my dissertation methodologist Dr. Eric Hickey, and my Walden research reviewer, Dr. Andrea Goldstein who have made this dissertation possible. 6 i Table of Contents CHAPTER 1: Introduction .......................................................................................................... 1 Introduction to the study ............................................................................................................. 1 Background of the Problem ........................................................................................................ 3 Background with Groupthink Theory Applications ................................................................ 5 Further Background on the Story Behind the Final Solution ................................................ 14 Statement of the Problem .......................................................................................................... 18 Research Questions ................................................................................................................... 25 Purpose of the Study ................................................................................................................. 27 Theoretical Framework ............................................................................................................. 28 Operational Definitions ............................................................................................................. 32 Assumptions, Limitations, Scope, and Delimitations ............................................................... 44 Significance of the Study .......................................................................................................... 46 Summary of Chapter One ......................................................................................................... 48 CHAPTER 2: Review of the Literature .................................................................................... 50 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 50 Research Strategy...................................................................................................................... 52 Review of the Literature ........................................................................................................... 54 The Formulation of Strategic Considerations Leading up to the Holocaust (1848-1939) .... 55 The Operationalization of the Holocaust (1939-1945) .......................................................... 64 CHAPTER 3: Research Method ............................................................................................... 90 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 90 i ii Follow Up from Previous Two Chapters .................................................................................. 91 Research Methodology ............................................................................................................. 97 Research Design........................................................................................................................ 99 Participants of the Study ......................................................................................................... 103 Measures ................................................................................................................................. 104 Research Questions ................................................................................................................. 105 Groupthink Related Coding and Research Questions ......................................................... 105 Research Questions Related to the Genesis of the Holocaust ............................................. 105 Ethical protection of participants ............................................................................................ 106 Procedures ............................................................................................................................... 107 Data Collection ....................................................................................................................... 110