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Argumentative Essay On Milgram's Experiment

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"Obedience is behavior that complies with the explicit demands of the individual in authority." (King, 448) If a store manager tells you to put a shirt on before entering the store, you're more than likely going to comply due to their request due to their authority over the store. You might fear that if you do not comply, you won't be permitted inside or even police being called. That is simple obedience, but what if an authority figure asked you to inflict pain on another person? The popular answer would be no, but in a specific situation you would be surprised. Nazi war criminals that were on trial during the time stated that they were only following orders. Stanley Milgram wanted to put this to the test. Trials for Nazi war criminals were taking place and making headlines. This had Stanley Milgram asking himself: "How is it possible that people who are courteous and decent in everyday life, act so callously, …show more content…

The "teachers" continued, at the 180 volts mark the "learner" cried out that he cannot take it any longer. Once reaching 300 volts, the fifty-year-old "learner" yelled about his heart condition and begged to be released. At these points, a decent amount of "teachers" halted the experiment while a large percent continued until the final 450 volt question even though the "learner" had stopped responding. At the 150 volt mark those who were going to stop, did so. If I were in this position I would stop at the first sign of discomfort from the "learner." He signed up just like I did without knowing what he was in for. If there were any signs of hesitation the experimenter would urge "teachers" to continue by saying "You must go on. The experiment requires that you continue." If the "teacher" failed to comply the experimenter would tell them that they had no choice but to continue. Some of the "teachers" were very upset by this statement, I would be

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