Question

In Milgram's controversial study on obedience, nearly _____ of the participants were willing to administer what appeared to be lethal electrical shocks to another person because they were told to do so by an authority figure. a. \(1 / 3\) b. \(2 / 3\) c. \(3 / 4\) d. \(4 / 5\)

Short answer

The correct answer is b. \(2 / 3\)

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Study

This question refers to a renowned psychological study conducted by Stanley Milgram about obedience to authority figures. This experiment was designed to investigate to what extent people can be made compliant by an authority figure, even when asked to perform apparent harmful actions towards others.

Find the Correct Answer

The result of Milgram's experiment was quite shocking, as a significant portion of participants were willing to administer what seemed to be lethal shocks if instructed by an authority figure. The exact portion was \(2 / 3\) or roughly 66.67% of the participants.

Key concepts

Obedience to Authority

Milgram's obedience study became a cornerstone in understanding how ordinary people can commit extraordinary acts when directed by authority. Imagine being part of an experiment where you are instructed to administer electric shocks to another person — daunting, isn't it? Yet, in Milgram's famous experiment, a surprising (2 / 3) of the participants obeyed the experimenter's orders, pushing the boundaries of their moral compass.

These findings highlight a powerful psychological tendency: people often comply with authority figures despite personal objections or distress. This obedience to authority has historical relevance too, providing insights into how individuals may act in structured hierarchies such as the military or in corporate environments. Understanding why people obey orders can help us create checks and balances in systems of power to prevent abuse or unjust actions.

Psychological Ethics

The aftermath of Milgram's study brought to light crucial conversations regarding psychological ethics. Engaging participants in a scenario involving potential harm raised serious ethical concerns. This landmark study prompted the development of ethical standards and informed consent guidelines in psychological experiments.

Now, when we talk about psychological ethics, we refer to the responsibilities of researchers to ensure the well-being of their participants. This encompasses concepts like voluntary participation, the right to withdraw without penalty, and the prevention of long-term psychological harm. Ethics committees and review boards are now common practice to protect participants while still allowing for important psychological research to continue.

Social Influence

Milgram's study is also a profound demonstration of social influence at work. Social influence encompasses the ways in which individuals change their behavior to meet the demands of a social environment. It can be seen in various forms, such as conformity, compliance, and obedience — all of which played a part in the obedience study.

The power of social influence lies not only in the authority exerted but also in the subtle cues and social pressures that guide behavior. By understanding social influence, we learn more about the mechanics of social interactions and how group dynamics can shape individual actions. Knowledge of these concepts is instrumental in fields ranging from business management to public policy, where social influence strategies are used to sway opinion and drive decisions.