2 responses Unit 1 DB: Milgram Study Ethics in Psychology


 In response to your peers, please aim for at least one paragraph that provides additional information, a different perspective, or a follow-up question related to their post. 

1) I don’t agree with the methods of Milgrams obedience experiment. I think it was unethical and dishonest. In the code of ethics, psychologists are given the correct standards on how to conduct their behavior towards clients, and I feel Milgram didn’t show any of those values but instead as more focused on proving a theory of his right. The first mistake was being dishonest about how the study would take place. And I think that’s what makes it so unethical because even with the experiment being painful, if this would have been disclosed to the participants and they understood fully then it wouldn’t have been so unethical.  

2) In my opinion, Milgram’s obedience experiment presents a complex ethical dilemma. On one hand, the study provided valuable insights into human behavior and the power of obedience to authority figures. It demonstrated the potential for individuals to engage in harmful actions under the influence of authority, shedding light on the disturbing obedience observed during historical events like the Holocaust. This knowledge has had a significant impact on fields such as psychology, sociology, and ethics. Understanding the factors that contribute to obedience is crucial for developing strategies to prevent abusive and unethical behaviors in various contexts.However, it is also important to acknowledge the ethical concerns raised by the experiment. Milgram’s study involved deceiving participants about the true nature of the experiment, creating an element of psychological distress and potentially undermining their trust in research. The participants were subjected to significant psychological pressure and stress, believing they were administering painful electric shocks to another person. This raises ethical questions about the well-being and informed consent of the participants. Ethical considerations in research are of paramount importance and should not be disregarded. The ethical concerns surrounding Milgram’s experiment have led to changes in research practices, emphasizing informed consent, debriefing, and the protection of participants’ well-being. Today, research ethics committees carefully review and scrutinize studies to ensure the ethical treatment of participants.In conclusion, while Milgram’s obedience experiment provided valuable insights into human behavior and obedience to authority, the ethical concerns it raised cannot be ignored. It is essential to strike a balance between the potential knowledge gained and the ethical treatment of participants in research studies. Ethical guidelines and oversight are necessary to protect the well-being and rights of individuals involved in research.