The workshop entitled ”The Psychological Roots of Anti-Semitism“ is based on the outcome of a research project carried out by social psychologists who examine the psychological processes leading to extreme forms of violence towards different groups of society. In the course of the workshop, its attendees were introduced to such terms as stereotype, division of people into groups (social categorization), and prejudice. Equipped with thus acquired findings, the participants should be able to understand how could ”ordinary“, educated and –in their previous lives – “moral“ people turned into perpetrators of evil, which culminated in the mass murders of Jews in gas chambers. At the same time, they should be able to explain why the Jews in particular came to be a persecuted group in Europe. The seminar participants will also be acquainted with other factors co-generating an environment conducive to the outbreak of wars and genocide. The methodological basis of the workshop is the method of value education, based on open communication, work in a group proceeding from joint decision-making, as well as search for one´s own answers in a process teaching students to cultivate their inner values and attitudes.
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