View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What circumstances directly affected a person's willingness to submit to an authoritarian like Hitler?

2. What social structure does Fromm suggest should be part of the psychological aspect of society?

3. What do masochists receive from their submissive acts?

4. Who does the individual submit to when conforming?

5. What is Fromm's theory about Hitler and the success of the Nazi party?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is an individual's character structure affected by economic and political changes?

2. What is the relationship between sadism and masochism? How does the relationship affect authoritarian characters?

3. What traits of an authoritarian character did Hitler possess?

4. What two choices does a person have when confronted by isolation and fear in achieving freedom?

5. What qualities did Hitler and Nazism possess that appealed to a large population of Germans?

6. How does Fromm describe sadistic people?

7. According to Fromm, why are "normal" people willing to conform to the ideas of an authoritarian character?

8. How does the loss of identify affect an individual's willingness to conform, and what are the consequences for it?

9. How does formal education limit a child's freedom?

10. What are the consequences for the individual and society when pressure to conform exists?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why did Erich Fromm title his book "Escape from Freedom"? What evidence supports this title? Identify another possible title for this book. Using evidence from throughout Fromm's book, explain why this would be an appropriate title. Which title do you prefer, and why?

Essay Topic 2

Explain the significance of this Benjamin Franklin quote to Fromm's analysis of freedom: "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." In your response, address the following points:

1). Explain the relevance of this quote with regards to Fromm's book.

2). Cite text examples from Fromm's book where people have given up their liberty for safety and vice versa.

3). Give several personal examples of how high school students give up some of their liberties for security.

4). Based on the evidence in Fromm's book, would he agree with Franklin? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay that compares Nazism to another authoritarian regime (Italian Fascism, North Vietnam, Chinese communism). In your essay, be sure to address the following points:

1). Similarities and differences in authoritarian leadership style.

2). Identify the political affiliations of both regimes.

3). Describe the historical events surrounding authoritarianism.

4). Explain how each regime suppresses the freedom of its citizens.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,401 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample