Question

1. How far were most people willing to go to obey authority? Would you have gone this far?

2. According to the text, "ordinary" people are more likely than not to follow an authority figure. Does this seem believable? Why or why not?
3. Do you think that what the participants did was wrong? Does it mean that they are "evil"?
4. Milligram’s findings can be used to possibly explain why people have committed horrible acts throughout history, despite being considered "good people" under other circumstances. With the findings of these study, how might such things be prevented from happening again?
5. In the context of this article, why do people do bad things? Use evidence from this text, your own experience, and other art, literature, or history in your answer.

Answer 1

Stanley Milgram's research on obedience revealed that nearly two-thirds of participants were willing to administer what they believed to be lethal shocks to another person under the instruction of an authority figure. The findings suggest a widespread tendency to follow authority figures, raising questions about people's willingness to obey. To prevent such acts from recurring, it is crucial to increase awareness and understanding of the influence of authority, promote ethical decision-making, critical thinking, and personal responsibility, and foster a culture of questioning authority and empathy.

Step-by-step explanation:

In Stanley Milgram's research on obedience, he found that nearly two-thirds of participants were willing to administer what they believed to be lethal shocks to another person simply because they were instructed to do so by an authority figure. This level of obedience was unexpected and raised questions about how far people are willing to go to obey authority. Milgram's findings have been replicated multiple times, including studies in different countries, suggesting that the tendency to follow authority figures is a widespread phenomenon.

While Milgram's research demonstrated extreme obedience, it is important to note that participants were not acting out of personal malevolence or evil intentions. Milgram concluded that the participants' behavior was influenced by social factors and the power of authority figures. The participants believed they were following orders and fulfilling their role in the study.

To prevent similar situations from happening again, it is essential to increase awareness and understanding of the potential influence of authority figures on individuals' behavior. Education about ethical decision-making, critical thinking, and personal responsibility can help individuals resist blindly following orders that contradict their own moral compass. Promoting a culture of open dialogue, questioning authority when necessary, and fostering empathy and compassion can also contribute to preventing the repetition of harmful acts.