Neue Studie zeigt, wie die Propaganda der NS-Zeit heutige Einstellungen beeinflusst. Wissenschaftler fanden heraus, dass das Mischen von Bildern eines lächelnden, zugänglichen Adolf Hitler mit Fotos von Holocaust-Gräueltaten das Schuldgefühl linderte und positive Emotionen bei modernen deutschen Zuschauern steigerte.

New study shows how Nazi-era propaganda influences present-day attitudes

A recent study published in the European Journal of Social Psychology suggests that viewing historical propaganda that glorifies dictators tends to soften the negative emotions people feel about past atrocities. Scientists found that mixing images of a smiling, approachable Adolf Hitler with photographs of Holocaust atrocities lessened feelings of guilt and increased positive emotions among modern German viewers. These findings provide evidence that historical propaganda can still manipulate human emotions decades after its creation.

Museums and educators often struggle with how to present historical artifacts from dark periods of history. Some experts worry that displaying positive, everyday photographs of dictators might communicate distorted images of the past to younger generations. Other people argue that these materials are simply historical evidence without the power to influence modern minds.

Historically, the Nazi party relied heavily on propaganda to secure public support. A large portion of this propaganda focused on glorifying Adolf Hitler. He was frequently depicted as a relatable man of the people as well as a revered savior.

Scientists have extensively studied derogatory propaganda, which dehumanizes marginalized groups. But they have spent less time examining the psychological effects of glorifying propaganda. The researchers conducted this study to see if flattering portrayals of Hitler still affect how people process the atrocities committed by the Nazi regime.

She noted that while they originally assumed the images would primarily reduce guilt-related feelings, the overall data showed that the propaganda reduced an array of negative emotions and amplified positive emotions. Participants in the mixed condition reported feeling happier, calmer, more excited, and more relaxed. This combined effect makes these images “even more ‘vicious’ than we had anticipated,” Ditrich noted.

“Across the studies, we were surprised to see how broadly propaganda images soothed negative emotions evoked by reminders of the atrocities committed under the Nazi’s reign by past members of our participants’ national group,” Ditrich said.

The researchers suspect that this emotional shift happens through attentional deployment. Attentional deployment is a psychological coping strategy where people direct their focus away from something upsetting to distract themselves. The smiling, positive images likely provided a distraction that diluted the emotional weight of the atrocity photographs.

For those interested, here’s the link to the peer reviewed journal article:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ejsp.70071

>However, it remains unclear whether this effect is exclusive to glorifying propaganda images. To discern whether this is the case, we need to add a third condition to our empirical test—one that replaces glorifying propaganda images with content-neutral, positively valenced stimuli.

Isn’t that the first condition you should control for when doing such a specific thing like assessing impact of Nazi-era propaganda images?

Big nothing burger of a study imo. Basically confirms that propaganda works to some extent, but not much more.

I have a book filled with smiling nazis. It was made before the war and most of it is all happy relaxed nazis. It is very jarring to see.

https://johnsonreferencebooks.com/product/adolf-hitler-cigarette-card-album-29374/

Why do I have it? Well apparently an uncle we never saw collected such things. When he died and his wife needed care his house was sorted out. This came to me, likely because it was interesting and historical. It is very creepy though.

I have always wondered what exactly I am supposed to do with it. Destroying it would be satisfying in the moment. But it is a part of history and so has value to show propaganda. If I had the right way to donate it I likely would. For the meanwhile, I keep it safe and secure. Because I know some nazi lovers would love it.