Asked by GraceAnn Erlenback on Jul 20, 2024
Verified
Discuss the ethical dilemmas that resulted from Stanley Milgram's obedience research. Do you think that the ends justified the means, in this case? Does the fact that nobody was really physically shocked make a difference? What if you wanted to conduct a replication of the experiment but wanted to actually administer shocks? Do you think that the findings would change regarding the obedience of the participants?
Ethical Dilemmas
Situations in which a choice must be made between two or more morally conflicting options, with no clear right or wrong answer.
Obedience Research
The study of how individuals comply with orders or commands from those of higher authority, often explored through experiments and psychological evaluations.
Replication
The process of repeating a research study or experiment to verify its findings.
- Explore the makeup of attitudes and their components by drawing on real-world illustrations.
Verified Answer
SK
Sarah KathleenJul 21, 2024
Final Answer :
Stanley Milgram's obedience research raised several ethical dilemmas. The main concern was the psychological distress and potential harm experienced by the participants who believed they were administering painful electric shocks to another person. This raised questions about informed consent, deception, and the potential for long-term psychological harm to the participants.
In terms of whether the ends justified the means, it is a complex issue. On one hand, the research provided valuable insights into human behavior and obedience to authority. On the other hand, the potential harm to the participants and the ethical implications of deceiving them about the true nature of the experiment cannot be overlooked.
The fact that nobody was physically shocked does make a difference in terms of physical harm, but the psychological impact on the participants cannot be discounted. The distress and guilt experienced by the participants were very real, even though the shocks were not actually administered.
If a replication of the experiment were to be conducted with actual shocks administered, it is likely that the findings regarding the obedience of the participants would change. The ethical implications of causing real harm to individuals in the name of research would be significant, and it is unlikely that such a study would be approved by an ethics review board.
In conclusion, while Milgram's obedience research provided valuable insights, the ethical dilemmas it raised cannot be ignored. The potential harm to the participants and the ethical implications of the study's methods are important considerations in evaluating the research. It is essential to prioritize the well-being and rights of the participants in any research study.
In terms of whether the ends justified the means, it is a complex issue. On one hand, the research provided valuable insights into human behavior and obedience to authority. On the other hand, the potential harm to the participants and the ethical implications of deceiving them about the true nature of the experiment cannot be overlooked.
The fact that nobody was physically shocked does make a difference in terms of physical harm, but the psychological impact on the participants cannot be discounted. The distress and guilt experienced by the participants were very real, even though the shocks were not actually administered.
If a replication of the experiment were to be conducted with actual shocks administered, it is likely that the findings regarding the obedience of the participants would change. The ethical implications of causing real harm to individuals in the name of research would be significant, and it is unlikely that such a study would be approved by an ethics review board.
In conclusion, while Milgram's obedience research provided valuable insights, the ethical dilemmas it raised cannot be ignored. The potential harm to the participants and the ethical implications of the study's methods are important considerations in evaluating the research. It is essential to prioritize the well-being and rights of the participants in any research study.
Learning Objectives
- Explore the makeup of attitudes and their components by drawing on real-world illustrations.