Question

Milgram (1963)

Were the Ethical Implications positive or negative and why?
A) Positive, as it advanced scientific knowledge.
B) Negative, due to potential harm to participants.
C) Neutral, as it had no ethical implications.
D) Positive, since participants consented.

Answer 1

The ethical implications of Milgram's study are generally viewed as negative due to the emotional distress caused to participants by making them believe they were harming others, despite the gain in scientific knowledge. The correct option is B.

Step-by-step explanation:

The ethical implications of Milgram's 1963 study on obedience have been widely regarded as negative. This is because the participants in the experiment, who believed they were administering electric shocks to learners, faced extreme emotional distress under the impression that they were causing real harm.

Even though the shocks were not real and the learners were confederates in on the experiment, the level of deceit and stress imposed on participants without their full consent has been criticized. The experiment did advance scientific knowledge about obedience to authority but at a cost that is generally considered ethically unacceptable by today's standards, which emphasizes informed consent and protection from harm.

Hence, Option B is correct.