Question

1. After reading about the experiments of Milgram, Asch, Zimbardo, and Elliot pick three experiments to analyze and then complete the following for each experiment: In your own words, not copied from an online resource, provide a brief summary of each of the three experiments you picked.

2. What was the original purpose of each of the three experiments, i.e. why did Milgram, Asch, Zimbardo, & Elliot conduct their experiment?

3. What were the results of each experiment, i.e. what, if anything, was discovered about human nature?

4. Were the experiments conducted ethically? Why or Why not? In developing your response to this question think about the following:

a) What did we learned in Module 1 about the ethical code of conduct in conducting psychological research.

b) Does the end justify the means? Essentially, was the research gathered by these experiments more important than making sure they were conducted ethically. We touched on this concept of “end justifying the means” when learning about Kohlberg and Heinz’s Dilemma. Are the results of each experiment relevant to our society today? If so, how? If not, why not?

Answer 1

1) Milgram experiment - Examined for the genocide done during World war II. The defense used was obedience to orders. Participants were made as teachers and the learner were Milgram's confederate. The learner was strapped with electrodes and was given a list of word pairs. Teacher administers increasing levels of shock every time the learner makes a mistake. When the teacher refused, the researcher (Milgram confederate) gave a series of orders for him to continue. It was found that ordinary people can kill people at the orders of an authority figure.

Asch experiment - Investigates social pressure from a majority, could affect a person or not. Participant was given a visual test using line judgement task, along with 7 confederates. The confederates gave wrong answers and the participant gave his answer at the last. There were 18 trails in total. It was found that participants conformed while in the control group, the participants gave very less wrong answers.

Zimbardo experiment - To identify whether the brutality in the American prison was due to sadistic personality or due to person environment. Participants were chosen by personality tests, who did not have any psychological or physical problems or crime history.They were randomly made prisoner or guard in a simulated prison environment. Zimbardo acted as prison warden. They became so involved in their roles and took prison rules seriously. Prisoners endured physical punishment. They eventually forgot their identity and started living the prisoner guard life.The experiment was abruptly stopped by Christina, Standford Ph.D. It was found that people conform to the social roles, especially when the roles are strongly stereotyped as prison guards.