Saturday, May 25, 2024

Is Out Group Aggression Considered Pleasurable? [Research]

 It can be hard to explain to those causing the problems why they do it, or why their behavior is not only destructive to the targets (out group) but also to themselves (in group), trust in institutions, their profession, and the community as a whole. It further highlights the difficulties of explaining to those who placate and protect such out group hate that the long term impact is a net negative for every stakeholder. When you cannot explain then you accept the division it creates until brighter minds and better people come forward that have a deeper respect for our society and the sacrifices people made to protect certain liberties. Yet accepting and being polite is not passivity as one has a greater responsibility to their nation to protect the public and those seen as sub-human or second class citizens. The perpetrators may not admit it but that is how they view a big percentage of society and they act to intentionally create these perceptions and divisions. Our job is to reject that narrative and challenge for the long term strength of society. We can do that civilly and not roll around in the mud.

The Hypothetical Example:

This example is for learning purposes only. Someone wants something and begins to exploit racial and religious bigotries (any race or religion) in order to financially and socially reward themselves off of the crimes committed against such victims. Because of their social connections to corruption and extremism they exploited the sick, damaged children, used large groups to bully, blocked employment, launched false rumors to damage reputations, used threats and attempts at violence to keep victims in check, sought out corrupted officials to help them, creates secret hit lists, and in the process exposed larger corruption and many other victims who experienced similar behaviors. When it became partially public and the risks were reversed onto the in-group they stopped in self-interest (Rarely in society's interest). Yet the hate chatter, ostracization, dehumanizing, and rudeness continues forward without account indicating a much larger systemic issue of embedded hate and poor oversight. Because they cannot maintain their patterns without getting caught they believe the more subtle forms will not be followed or tracked.

What I find most interesting about this example is that while most people understand how destructive this behavior for everyone is, the in-group feels no sense of responsibility to their oaths  (concepts of one nation, liberty and justice for all) nor do they feel a sense of respect for the community. They have banked off of partisan-political divisions in order maintain their aggressive and destructive path and that is causing further reverberations throughout society. 

The Reverse Situation:

Let us say that the integrity of these institutions, social cohesion, the rights of citizens, the effective use of taxpayer dollars/equipment, respecting the profession and people in it, the community, so and and so forth is more important than the needs of this in-group hate network who can't stop their bad behaviors. Let us further this example by saying you are trying to curb them to avoid a much wider situation that reflects negatively on the difficulty we experience as a nation reigning in these extremist groups. While you might be a nice person in trying to teach them a better path, they may be the type that don't learn well (i.e. they must experience it to learn it.) When these situations reverse in sociology the sadistic behavior of the in-group becomes shunned and they in turn become the out-group through the tens of millions of people who disagree with their misuse of sacred trust and resources. If this happens remember that two wrongs don't make a right and the behavior of the hate group element should not reflect across everyone within the profession but does highlight opportunities to improve the institution.

The Pleasure-Why they can't stop!:

There is a good chance these homogenous in-group members connected to corruption cannot stop and part of that is from the pleasure they feel from engaging in bad behaviors. While society may someday find such behaviors horrendous, immoral, and illegal the group persists because of a placated history of such poor behaviors mixed with the pleasure of engaging in these acts. Perhaps it makes them feel powerful, cover insecurities, and create a "better than you" situation designed to minimize people and block them out of society. Thus, one would have a much higher moral duty to the next generation and to the integrity of institutions to curb these behaviors. These are ultimately choices that define the soul of a nation and where it is headed. A microcosm. We have a responsibility to ensure the nation points true north. Race, religion, and politics don't count or have any moral authority to derail development for everyone else. Good leaders know that.

The Layman's discussion on the pleasure of aggression toward out-group members,


The good news is that as long as these behaviors exist we have opportunities to get better and improve. Something for society to work on and that creates adaptation that improves the long term performance.

*This article is for learning purposes only and is a hypothetical example. Take with a grain of salt. A thought experiment on freedom of religion and speech.

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