Perils of Human Obediance

A detailed Summary of Perils of Human Obediance

From the time we are born the ideals of obedience is taught and instilled in us all. Authoritarian figures are established and rules, guidelines, and codes of ethics are instituted. Each person chooses how strictly to follow these terms by his or her own accord, knowing that they will suffer the repercussions and consequences for disobedience. Whether it is a parent spanking a child or an adult being fired from a job there is always a certain disciplinary actions for not following orders. Everybody is expected to obey authority at all costs, but what happens when following orders means defying ones own morals?

In 1963 Yale psychologist Stanley Milgram set up and conducted an experiment to test this very question's limits. It was designed to "Force participants to either violate their conscience by obeying the immoral demands of an authority figure or refuse those demands"(Milgram 343). In it a "teacher"(Milgram 345) subject and a "learner"(Milgram 345) subject are used. The teacher is a clueless volunteer but the learner is a pre-informed actor. Learner subjects are strapped in a chair and to a fake electric shock generator. The teacher is instructed to teach word pair questions to the learner and administer an electric shoc

Allthough it is a fight that is morally justified by people such as Dr. Diana Baumrind the evidence is undoubtedly and overwhelmingly against their cause. Their argument is a valid one, that the advancement of science is not worth the personal pain of experimental volunteers who are oblivious to the reality of the procedures effects. But there was no physical harm to any of the participants and the only true harm of any type would be mental indecision. A group of people's mental indecision and being submitted to stress is a very acceptable consequence of these experiments to achieve the astounding results. It would truly be a travesty and a complete injustice to look at these experiments done by Dr. Milgram as cruel or inhumane, instead of looking at them for what they truly are which is groundbreaking.

This shocking behavior is a demonstration of human nature being prone to follow orders at all cost, just as we were taught as youths. Milgram's experiment was repeated in different locations with different subjects, but the end result was still the same. Although some participants did not submit to the immoral orders the vast majority did with some conflict. Showing that maybe when a person is put in a situation to cause harm to another without responsibility for their actions that there is not limit to the

Some common words found in the essay are:
Stanley Milgram, Diana Baumrind, , Dr Milgram, Stanley Milgram's, Nazi Germany, Behavioral Sciences, California Berkley, 345 subject, dr milgram, diana baumrind, mental indecision, wrong answer, electric shock,

Approximate Word count = 892
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: People

join now Save Paper

Saved Paper

Save your papers so you can locate them quickly!

Newest Essays

Testimonials

"Thank You So Much!!! You have saved me once again!!!"
Jack M.
"With so many papers to chose from, I was able to get ideas to help me with all of my classes. Thank You!"
Brian P.
"I've used this site for the last 3 years to help me come up with ideas for my papers."
Sara J.
"I use this site every week to help me write my own papers!"
Rachel W.
"I love this site!!!"
Marie N.