Obedience Case

During our first week of Psychology we discussed the Milgram experiments over obedience. During several trials using a shock generator and willing “guinea pigs,” Milgram demonstrated the number of people willing to shock a complete stranger because they felt obligated to follow the instructions of authority, man in a lab coat. Statistics proved that over half of both males and females were obedient and used the highest voltage shock on the other innocent stranger in the other room. According to an article by Kendra Cherry, “65% of the participants in Milgram’s study delivered the maximum shocks.” Through Milgram’s experiments, it has led many observers to the question; “If a person in a position of authority ordered you to deliver a 400-volt electrical shock to another person, would you follow orders?”

Of course, several people would answer with a resounding no without any doubt in their mind. However, according to statistics that was not the case. Through video of the trials and interviews, many observers witnessed person after person go inside the room and intentionally hurt another person who did no wrong to them. Many people in the interview after the trail consistently placed all the blame and responsibility on either the person being shocked or the man instructing them; very few people blamed themselves for such a horrible action.

After witnessing these experiments, I came to the question; why do so many people choose to obey when they feel so uncomfortable? An article I found while researching more about this topic answered this important question; “…people obey either out of fear or out of a desire to appear cooperative--even when acting against their own better judgment and desires.” This comment was brought to life for me during class on Friday when Mrs. Ott asked us to stand up and stretch. Without any hesitation or desire for an explanation the whole entire class and I stood up and stretched just like the teacher asked us to and asked no questions in return. In response Mrs. Ott asked, “Now why did you just do that?” which was a really good question. Why? Simply because we trust the fact that she is a teacher and an authority figure. Because of this we assume that she knows what is best for us.

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