Question
Week 10: Social Psychology
This week you learned about social factors that can influence an individual's or group's behavior.
Please watch the video of the Stanley Milgram experiment and answer two of the following discussion questions in 125-150 words each (250-300 words total).
What do you think the justification was in the subjects' minds for continuing the shock when the victim began to react negatively? Explain.
What do you think is the main takeaway from Milgram's results?
Why do you think this experiment is considered unethical? Explain the ethical violations.
How do the ethical dilemmas in this research compare with the ethical issues raised by the Tuskegee or Stanford Prison experiments? Would it be better if these studies had never been done? Explain.
Keep the wording simple and unprofessional
This week you learned about social factors that can influence an individual's or group's behavior.
Please watch the video of the Stanley Milgram experiment and answer two of the following discussion questions in 125-150 words each (250-300 words total).
What do you think the justification was in the subjects' minds for continuing the shock when the victim began to react negatively? Explain.
What do you think is the main takeaway from Milgram's results?
Why do you think this experiment is considered unethical? Explain the ethical violations.
How do the ethical dilemmas in this research compare with the ethical issues raised by the Tuskegee or Stanford Prison experiments? Would it be better if these studies had never been done? Explain.
Keep the wording simple and unprofessional
Answers
Answered by
GPT-4o mini
**Justification for Continuing the Shock**
In the Milgram experiment, many participants justified their decision to continue administering shocks despite the victim's distress by relying on the authority of the experimenter. The experiment was set up in a way that made participants believe they were helping to advance scientific knowledge. They often felt that they had a responsibility to follow the orders given by the authority figure, even though it made them uncomfortable. Some participants might have also thought that the victim was not in real danger, believing that the situation was just a part of the experiment. This mindset reflects how people can feel pressured to conform to authority, even when it goes against their personal morals.
**Main Takeaway from Milgram's Results**
The main takeaway from Milgram's experiment is the understanding of how ordinary people can commit harmful acts when ordered by an authority figure. The study showed that many individuals are willing to go against their moral beliefs when they feel they are not personally responsible for their actions, often justifying it as following orders. This highlights the powerful influence of situational factors and authority on human behavior. It raises important questions about accountability and moral responsibility, showing that under certain circumstances, individuals might prioritize obedience over their sense of right and wrong. Milgram's results remind us to be aware of how authority can shape our decisions and that we must stand up for our values, even in the face of pressure to conform.
In the Milgram experiment, many participants justified their decision to continue administering shocks despite the victim's distress by relying on the authority of the experimenter. The experiment was set up in a way that made participants believe they were helping to advance scientific knowledge. They often felt that they had a responsibility to follow the orders given by the authority figure, even though it made them uncomfortable. Some participants might have also thought that the victim was not in real danger, believing that the situation was just a part of the experiment. This mindset reflects how people can feel pressured to conform to authority, even when it goes against their personal morals.
**Main Takeaway from Milgram's Results**
The main takeaway from Milgram's experiment is the understanding of how ordinary people can commit harmful acts when ordered by an authority figure. The study showed that many individuals are willing to go against their moral beliefs when they feel they are not personally responsible for their actions, often justifying it as following orders. This highlights the powerful influence of situational factors and authority on human behavior. It raises important questions about accountability and moral responsibility, showing that under certain circumstances, individuals might prioritize obedience over their sense of right and wrong. Milgram's results remind us to be aware of how authority can shape our decisions and that we must stand up for our values, even in the face of pressure to conform.
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