The effects of various degrees of social pressure

If the social pressure exerted against a minority is overwhelming (slavery, concentration camps) no cultural efforts of the slaves or prisoners can be expected. Absence of any pressure is not conducive to high achievements either. A moderate degree of social pressure especially when combined with a possibility of social acceptance will stimulate minority people to perform well and to try to achieve status and acceptance. The cultural climate in which persons belonging to the minority grew up often determines their choice of endeavor in which to prove themselves and to achieve. Arthur Toynbee's thesis of the importance of Challenge and Response for the evolution of civilisations and Hans Selye's concept of Stress in biology are related to the proposed hypothesis. The author shows the usefulness of his hypothesis on examples from the history of Blacks in America and of the Jews.