Internal assessment-1
Statistics in Behavioural Sciences
Q1) What type of experiment is being discussed in the movie, what is the author trying
to study and uncover, Why was the researcher personally interested in studying these
variables?
One kind of social psychology experiment that is portrayed in the film is the Milgram
experiment. The author's research aims to determine the degree to which people will submit
to authority figures' orders, even if they are unethical or could endanger other people
(Bocchiaro & Zimbardo, 2017). Because he was genuinely interested in learning more about
how obedience and authority might influence behavior, the researcher studied these variables.
Over time, Stanley Milgram's obedience experiments have generated a great deal of
discussion and attention in the psychology community and have come to be recognized as
seminal studies. The desire to shed light on the darker aspects of human behavior and
comprehend the nature of allegiance to authority can be linked to Milgram's motive for
performing his studies. Milgram was curious as to why people would carry out damaging
deeds and obey commands that contradicted their moral principles. The Nazi war criminals'
defense during the Nuremberg Trials—that they were only carrying out orders—piqued his
interest in particular. Milgram was interested in learning more about the psychological and
situational elements that affect compliance and how they can take precedence over personal
morality and ethics. In Milgram's experiment, participants took on the role of "teachers" and
were told to shock a "learner" with electricity if they gave the wrong response to a question.
Milgram wanted to find out how far subjects would go to follow orders from a superior, even
if it meant they may hurt someone else. The purpose of Milgram's experiment was to
determine the underlying mechanisms that cause people to submit to authoritative figures,
even at the expense of their own well-being.
Q2) What is the role of teacher and the learner according to this study? Do you think
there are any ethical concerns related to this study? If Yes, please elaborate.
An important experiment that clarifies the roles of the teacher and the student in a learning
setting is Milgram's study on obedience to authority. Psychologist Stanley Milgram carried
out the study in the 1960s with the intention of learning more about how people react to
authoritative figures and whether or not they will hurt someone when told to. In Milgram's
study, the teacher's job was to shock the student with electricity. The learner was a
confederate who claimed to be the one receiving the shocks, while the teacher stood in for the
authority person. Several significant revelations regarding the function of the instructor in a
learning environment were made by Milgram's research. Because volunteers in the Milgram
experiment suffered great emotional discomfort and were misled about the genuine purpose
of the study, the experiment was deemed unethical. They thought that by following orders
from above, they were hurting someone else.
In addition, there was strong pressure on participants to remain and they were not allowed to
leave at any time. The psychological injury and the absence of informed consent are against
current study ethics rules.
Q3) What is your interpretation of the movie and the study, please use your own
perspective and words to explain your answer. Do you think any modifications or
changes can be made to the experiment itself?
The Milgram experiment, in both its original research and its film adaptation, is a horrifying
tribute to the strength of authority and the depths of human obedience. From my opinion, the
experiment demonstrates how quickly people might give up their moral liberty when
confronted with perceived authority figures and societal pressure. The depiction of the
experiment in the film adaption powerfully conveys the tension and psychological agony
experienced by the volunteers as they struggle with their conscience vs the authority figure's
demands. It emphasises the ethical quandaries inherent in such investigations and invites
contemplation on the vulnerability of individual moral compasses in the face of power.
in terms of experiment revisions, there are absolutely several areas that should be considered.
While the Milgram experiment provided vital insights into human behaviour, its ethical
implications have been heavily contested. To reduce the risk of participant damage, future
iterations might include more complete debriefing processes and better-informed consent
standards. Additionally, researchers should investigate other approaches that achieve
comparable goals without causing individuals unnecessary psychological suffering. I would
like to change the perspective and decision by adding a transparent chamber, where the
humans in both the roles being visible to each other, so that the emotions and the apparent
condition of the shocks to be displayed to the once performing those indicated steps from the
authority figure.
Finally, the Milgram experiment and its film version raise provocative concerns about the
nature of obedience, the role of authority, and the limits of ethical inquiry. While the
experiment itself remains a key milestone in psychology, continual conversation and critical
reflection are needed to guarantee that ethical standards are met in scientific investigation .
References
1. Miligram Obedience experiment movie
2. Blass, T. (1991) Understanding Behaviour in the Miligram Obedience Experiment: The role
of personality, situations, and their interactions. Journal of Personality and social psychology,
60 (3). 398-413. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/0022-3514.60.3.398
Submitted by:
Bhumika K T
23MSAHR154
M.Sc Clinical Psychology
