So, I read today about French TV show that is basically broadcast their own version of the famous Milgram Experiement. Read about it here. If you don't know the experiment, then let me explain from what I remember. He gathered participants and then made them shock another participant if they got something wrong. When the person was shocked they'd wince in pay. The shock intensity continually increased until the person was screaming. The shocker (T)was continually told by an authority figure (E) to go ahead with the shocks even though the other person (L) was in pain. 
No matter how much the shockee screamed out the person continued as instructed even against their own judgement. Turns out the shockee was an actor and the authority figure was just an assistant in a lab coat. It was a test to see what you could get people to do with the influence of an authority figure. Check out the study specifics here. This study has never been repeated because it is so cruel to the one doing the shocking. To learn they could do something so horrible to another person was emotionally challenging for these people. Of course anyone initially upon hearing this study immediately says they would never do that themselves. No way could they hurt someone like that. However, think again. When an authority figure continues to tell you that you must continue and it is necessary to continue, would you really stop?
No matter how much the shockee screamed out the person continued as instructed even against their own judgement. Turns out the shockee was an actor and the authority figure was just an assistant in a lab coat. It was a test to see what you could get people to do with the influence of an authority figure. Check out the study specifics here. This study has never been repeated because it is so cruel to the one doing the shocking. To learn they could do something so horrible to another person was emotionally challenging for these people. Of course anyone initially upon hearing this study immediately says they would never do that themselves. No way could they hurt someone like that. However, think again. When an authority figure continues to tell you that you must continue and it is necessary to continue, would you really stop? On the French TV show only 1 out of 5 people quit early and refused to participate further. This experiment is good in reminding us to stand up for ourselves and our beliefs. This isn't about religion or morals. It's about what is ethical and right to do to other people. And no matter what people tell us to do or not to do we need to know what our personal values for human life are. Not just in case we end up in an experiment, but in case we end up in a position to influence the lives and pain of otheres. If you need more proof of what people are capable of check out the Zimbardo Prison experiment.
Lastly, don't assume that the participants in these studies are bad people already. That is not the case. Most of them are just like us. They are good people trying to earn a wage to take care of their families. They are no different than you or I and that is why we need to be sensitive to this research and really look within to see where we stand.
3 comments:
I like to think that I am the 1 out of the 5 that would walk away... Maybe with reminders like this and by staying true to my intuition I can be that person.
I have the same hope too, but reminders like this are sure helpful. I think it's a good reminder too to not judge people for doing bad things when they were told to do them. We can't always blame people for the decisions they make when someone who "knows better" is telling them to proceed.
Hello -
I love this blog - thanks!
I appreciate the lack of 'righteousness' flinging too -
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