Milgram Obediance Study Essay Example for Free

Milgram Obediance Study EssayIn May of 1962 Stanley Milgram, a Social Psychologist at Yale University, conducted a break down on Obedience and Human reputation that was influenced by his curiosity of the WWII German Nazi Holocaust and soaking up camps. Milgram asked How could it be, that ordinary German people could leave the extermination of the Jews and treasured to know under what circumstances would a person dis pursue authority?The study took place in the greater New Haven area and consisted of 40 male participants that were recruited by and by responding to a newspaper ad. Each participant was compensated for their participation, and were given $4.50. It was thought by umpteen professors that only 3 out of 100 participants might salve the maximum shock.After the recruitment, Milgram conducted a series of contr everywheresial investigates with his excogitation of a shock generator. The switches were labeled and ranged from slight shock, stong shock, very strong sh ock, moderate shock, intense shock, extream intense shock, to risk Severe Shock and the last two only stating XXX. The voltage began at 30, increasing by 15 volt increments for each switch, all the way up to 450 volts. The purpose of Milgrams try was to try and answer,How utmost would you be willing to go?Prior to the experiment the professor explained the procedure to each participant. The Student was dependant up to the shock machine with leads that were connected by a paste that was supposed to protect the skin from being damaged or burned. The watch explained that the shocks would be painful, but would not cause legal injury to the subject.The role of the Teacher was to ask the Student a series of questions. With each wrong answer the Teacher was to deliver a shock to the Student. However, what Milgram did not reviel was that the study was in fact, rigged. The Student had been given a script, and was instructed to wee-wee to be shocked.During the experiment, with each stagged wrong answer, the Student complained or so the pain. As the intensity increased, the Student began to complain about having heart problems. Begging for the Teacher to stop. Pleading and demanding to be let out of the room over and over again. All the while the Teacher was prompted by the varan to continue.Throughout the exam, most of the Teachers began to doubt if they should continue. Asking the proctor how far should I go, or what will happen if I continue. Each time, the proctor would encourage the teacher to please continue telling them you score no choice but to continue, the experiment depends on you. With each shock the Teacher became increasingly agitated. Demonstrating mental anguish, and struggled with the their emotions of inflicting pain with the next shock.Eventually after hitting the 300 volt mark the Student got to the commove that he stopped responding to the questions. By this point the Teachers were angry and refused to continue. The proctor advised the Teacher to treat the silence as a wrong answer and instructed to proceed with the experiment and to administer another shock. This caused increased severe mental anguish and suffering on the Teachers behalf. Some would refuse again to continue, stating that they wouldnt go on if I thought I were harming them. One notwithstanding shouted, Im not going to be responsible, Im not going to kill the man. The proctor simply responded, you have too, you have no other choice but to continue. umpteen of the phrases used to prompt the Teacher to continue included, The experiments entreat you to continue, and Its absolutely essential that you continue.The results of the Milgram experiment tested his theories of why people were willing to go against their assured and demonstrated just how far people were willing to go to stay in compliance with an crucial figure. In 1974 Milgram published his book ,Obedience to Authority which raised controversial, ethical, and moral issues of his experime ntation on Obedience. Many believed that it was cruel and several professors stated it was in humane and questioned his use of human subjects, due to the cruel temper that caused mental anguish, unnecessary stress, grief, and turmoil on the so called Teacher.After the experiment, Milgram purposed the question, Why did so numerous agree to and perform the shock treatment, if they felt it was wrong?I believe that there are many factors that influenced the participants to continue to deliver the shock treatment, some of which include the following1. Human nature to be pleasing. I believe that Authority is seen to be powerful and insurmountable and having the authoritative figure presence, tromping them to continue even when they wanted to stop had a huge influence on the participants and affected the teachers decision to continue even though they wanted to stop. 2. Fear of non-compliance. I believe the participant felt an obligation to continue because of the agreement they make with the University to participate. I think that some may of thought their might be consequences if they disobeyed the proctor. 3. Curiosity and sadistic behaviors. I think that some participants wanted to see just how tolerant the Student could be. 4. The experiment was held at the super esteemed Yale University. I believe this peeked the interest of the participants and many wanted to be a part of a highly accredited institutional study group. 5. Many believed it was safe. They were told that it was not self-destructive, it was painful but would not harm the participant receiving the shocks and this allowed the participants to continue administering the shocks because they trusted what they were told. 6. Ability to redirect responsibility onto the Authoritative figure, in send to ameliorate the guilt they may sense- stating I was only following orders.I found the results of the Milgram Obedience study astounding. Of the 40 participants, 26 delivered the maximum shock and 14 parti cipants stopped at various levels passim the experiment, siting they just couldnt go on. While watching the video, I found myself feeling anxious, and thought about how I would of reacted. The Milgram experiment demonstrates exactly how people actually react when placed in certain circumstances, rather than a hypothetical situation, stating how they feel they would react. I believe this study revels how some humans can detach themselves emotionally in order to remain obedient. So after thinking about the statistics of the experiment I shouldnt have been so move that 65% delivered the maximum shock. I would of never believe so many of them would have gone thru with the experiment and felt that the number would have been much lower.There are many examples throughout history of how dangerous it can be to comeback obedience to the extrema. One example is during WWII. The Germans treatment of the Jews was horrific and unimaginable. It was estimated that during the Holocaust, the Nazi s used the concentration camps to murder approximately 11 million people. So you ask, yourself, how could such a horrific event take place?, How could people be so EVIL? These conditions were real and the answer to these questions are highly debated throughout the world by Psychologist, Analysis, Universities and amongst people sitting at dinner tables everywhere. It lies deep within the dark places of fiendish minds. It unleashes its wrath and destroys.In conclusion, I believe we are taught to be obedient from birth. As parents we teach our children to obey us, so that they learn consequences and grow into respectable, responsible adults. God expects us to obey his commandments. Police officers expect us to obey traffic laws. Employers expect us to obey rules and regulations, and office policies On a daily behind we are told to follow instructions, directions, commands and orders. Obedience involves power and status and is influenced by social pressure and conformity. As a societ y we are conditioned and expected to be obedient.