Final answer:
Dehumanizing treatment profoundly changes an individual's attitude, outlook, and identity, as seen in historical accounts of African Americans during segregation and Jews during the Holocaust.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dehumanizing treatment has a profound impact on individuals, altering their attitude, outlook, and identity. Elie Wiesel's experiences in the Holocaust, as described in his memoir 'Night', exemplify how dehumanization can change a person's internal landscape. When a group is seen as less than human, as with African Americans during slavery and segregation, or Jews during the Holocaust, it affects both the oppressor and the oppressed. The oppressor may begin to believe in their superiority, which can be passed down through generations, while the oppressed may experience self-questioning and a lowering of self-esteem. Events that highlight the inferior status given to a person, such as the humiliation felt by an African American child and his father when being denied service at an ice cream parlor, inflict deep psychological wounds. Through oral histories and personal accounts, we understand that the most significant damage occurs in moments where dignity is expected but violated, leading to a loss of personal identity, as individuals are forced to conform to a new, oppressive identity imposed by the dominating group.