Discuss the ethical implications of Milgram’s experiment. (You may want to refer to Chapter 2, pp. 59–61, for a discussion about ethics in social research.)
If the researcher had not been present as an authority figure during the experiment to approve the use of all shock levels, do you think group pressure would have been as effective? Explain.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
Ethical Implications of Milgram’s Experiment
Milgram’s obedience experiment, conducted in the early 1960s, raised significant ethical concerns, particularly regarding the psychological distress imposed on participants. The experiment deceived participants by making them believe they were administering increasingly severe electric shocks to another person, which led to immense stress, anxiety, and emotional conflict. Participants were pressured into continuing the experiment despite their visible distress, violating the ethical principle of informed consent and the right to withdraw without coercion. Additionally, the study lacked proper debriefing procedures at the time, leaving some participants with lingering guilt and emotional trauma.
Modern ethical guidelines, such as those outlined by the American Psychological Association (APA), emphasize the necessity of protecting participants from harm, ensuring informed consent, and providing full disclosure about the nature of a study. If Milgram’s experiment were conducted today, it would likely be deemed unethical due to its failure to prioritize participant well-being.
Effect of Authority Figure on Group Pressure
The presence of an authoritative figure significantly influenced obedience levels in Milgram’s experiment. Without the researcher’s insistence and formal approval of each shock level, participants may have been less inclined to continue administering shocks. Group pressure alone, without the direct presence of authority, would likely have been less effective because individuals tend to look for explicit direction when making morally challenging decisions.
In a scenario where the researcher was absent, participants might have felt more freedom to resist social pressure, leading to lower levels of obedience. While group conformity can still be powerful, the explicit endorsement from an authoritative figure adds legitimacy to actions that individuals might otherwise question. Milgram’s findings suggest that people are more likely to obey orders when they perceive them as sanctioned by a credible authority, rather than merely conforming to peer behavior.
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