‘The Wave’ and ‘The Experiment’: Two Films on The Herd Effect and Psycho...

Read full article here: https://spiritualseek.online/the-wave-and-the-experiment-two-films-on-the-herd-effect-and-psychological-manipulation/ ---------------- An Educational Experiment “The Wave” (Die Welle), directed by Dennis Gansel, explores the mechanisms behind fascism, autocracy and manipulation within the microcosm of a school experiment, touching on broader issues concerning both power and human nature. Its compelling narrative, set in a contemporary context, nevertheless evokes the historical reality of Nazi Germany, offering a stark reminder of the ease with which a society can succumb to authoritarianism, to the pull of conformity and ideological radicalization. The philosophical and psychological implications of “The Wave” extend beyond its narrative, encompassing the concept of the herd effect, the illusory nature of reality and the spiritual costs of blind obedience to authority. A Social Experiment “The Experiment” (Das Experiment), directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel, presents a compelling and thought-provoking examination of the psychological and social transformations experienced by ordinary individuals as they are placed in a simulated prison environment. This portrayal not only captures the essence of a true story, but also delves into the themes of survival, justice, revenge and brutal treatment of prisoners, prompting critical ethical considerations about the abuse of power and obedience to authority. The movie, through the vivid cinematic transposition of a psychological research actually performed in 1971 (The Stanford prison experiment), highlights the disturbing realities of conformity, humiliation and violence that emerge during the simulation of a prison environment. It shows how social roles and the prison environment can generate severe mental trauma and even the breakdown of human decency. From Simulation to Reality, the Step is Short Through the analysis and comparison of these two films, we will make a deeper reflection on the emergence of ideologies, and in particular on the use of manipulation and propaganda aimed at the construction of an imaginary enemy. We will make a broader reflection on human behavior, the dangers of technocracy, and the subtle ways in which society can come to institutionalize hatred and uniformity under the guise of unity and security. Finally, we will explain how human beings, when clothed with certain roles and responsibilities within a social context, can be driven to perform actions they would never do individually thanks to the sense of security that comes from feeling part of something larger, much like animals within a pack. Psychological scrutiny will enable us to understand how dictatorships, in order to develop, need only stimulate the basic impulses of human beings, providing them with a seemingly rational and socially acceptable justification. “The Wave” Plot Overview “The Wave” (Die Welle) is a 2008 film directed by Dennis Gansel, based on a novel by Todd Strasser (Die Welle), itself based on a social experiment that really happened in 1967 in California, and called “The third wave”. In this film Rainer Wenger, a history teacher, is to lecture on autocracy in a German high school during theme week. His intention, however, was originally to treat anarchy as his topic, the latter being closer to his ideals. Despite the initial resistance of his students, who are skeptical about the resurgence of dictatorship in modern Germany and convinced that people have learned from the horrors of Nazism, the professor initiates an experiment to demonstrate the ease with which the masses can be manipulated. Main Conflict Wenger becomes their leader and imposes some strict rules in the classroom, such as addressing him formally and adopting a uniform consisting of a white shirt and jeans, so that class distinctions are erased while at the same time promoting a false sense of unity. The students, then, choose a name for the movement, calling it “The Wave” (“Die Welle”); they create a logo and invent a greeting, namely the simulation made with the right arm of a wave. From this moment they begin to show signs of collective behavior, with fascist overtones. Climax and Resolution The experiment spirals out of control when “The Wave” influences participants’ lives outside the classroom as well. Students begin ostracizing and bullying non-members, and their actions become increasingly aggressive, mirroring those of historical fascist movements. The group’s strength gradually becomes more disruptive, and soon the project seems to get out of hand for its own creator, who is unable to end it before it leads to tragic consequences and unpleasant episodes of violence, including the suicide of a student. Questo articolo in Italiano: https://ricercaspirituale.online/londa-e-the-experiment-due-film-sulleffetto-branco-e-la-manipolazione-psicologica/