Reference no: EM133485096
Problem
The Milgram Experiment revealed a dark aspect of human nature that was thought to be present only within a fringe part of our society. Essentially, if we can be absolved of the responsibility for our actions or inaction (in both instances viewed as morally and ethically wrong) as the result of compliance with the directives of authority figures, then our willingness to proceed remains relatively unabated and even justified. Why is it that we are willing to release control over those fundamental elements that define us as human beings (love, empathy, compassion, self sacrifice, rational judgment and our understanding of what constitutes right and wrong, good and evil)? Is it fear of reprisal? Is it that we question our own sense of judgment? Is it a need to belong? Is it an element of survival? Can our moral and ethical compass be so easily swayed? WHY?!
These are questions with both deep philosophical and psychological underpinnings. Based on the attached experiment try to address the following questions as part of your assignment paper:
• What was Milgram trying to prove in conducting this experiment?
In doing so you MUST address the following questions:
Question 1. What was the overall objective of the experiment (i.e. what was Milgram trying to prove or validate)?
Question 2. What were the anticipated behaviour/responses of the "teacher/participant" relative to the "learner" in light of how Milgram set up the experiment? (i.e. what was/were Milgram's expectations as to the "teachers" behaviour during the course of the experiment based on their interactions with Milgram (the authority figure) and the reactions of the "learner" to the increasing levels of electric shock being administered by the "teacher" as a result of "intentionally" wrong responses to questions by the "learner"?}.
Question 3. What was the final outcome of the experiment? (i.e. Basically outline some of the key findings/conclusions that Milgram arrived at after completing the experiment)