On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1995

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Study Guide

Before You Read Beta

Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Introduction-Section I, Chapter 4

Section II, Chapters 1-8

Section III, Chapters 1-7

Section IV, Chapters 1-6

Section V, Chapters 1-5

Section VI, Chapters 1-2

Section VII, Chapters 1-4

Section VIII, Chapters 1-5

Key Figures

Themes

Index of Terms

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Grossman argues that there is an innate resistance to killing members of one’s own species. Do you agree with his theory? Why or why not?

Given the innate resistance to killing, what factors enable atrocities to take place? How, for example, does Grossman explain the My Lai massacre in the Vietnam War? Are there any other possible factors not included in his analysis?

How does the military invoke classical and operant conditioning to train soldiers to kill? Is Grossman correct to draw an analogy with the impact of violent media on modern youth? Why or why not?