Behavioral Study of Obedience - Admission/Application Essay Example

Research Problem The main reason as to why Milgram came up with this sort of research was in a move to determine how obedience actually worked. In the study, Milgram attempts to find out the rate at which humans obey orders; this is because according to him, many people are forced into complying orders even if they are not willing (Milgram, 1963). During the study, Milgram focuses on the Nazi regime because numerous deaths marred this era. Hence, according to him, although Nazis caused these deaths, most of them had to commit these atrocities by exhibiting utter compliance against their will (Milgram, 1963). This was due to the fear they experienced whereby in failing to execute what the leaders advocated would face similar incidences like their victims. It is therefore evident that the entire study mainly majored on obedience and its effects. According to Milgram, although obedience is a basic thing when it comes to matters related to social lives, it has resulted to people committing odious atrocities just in the name of obeying orders (Milgram, 1963). Millions of innocent people died between1930s and1945 after being slaughtered on command. The fact that millions of persons died is enough proof that it involved many people who were following an order made by one person. In his research, Milgram states that through the annals of history, what comes out clearly is that many crimes occur due compliance of misleading orders than by rebellion (Milgram, 1963). For instance, the German corps, through obedience ended up committing some of wicked atrocities the world has never seen. Hence, prompting Milgram claims in his study that though obedience is honorable deed, it can also be disastrous. Theory Being Tested The main objective behind Milgram’s research is to determine the extent at which one would go in the name of obeying instructions. According to him, many people obey orders against their wish. This is because they are under coercion to comply whereby defaulters will bear stern repercussions. Similarly, others end up obeying due to the rewards that come alongside accomplishment of certain misions (Milgram, 1963). Milgram wanted to know what force that drives people into full compliance into statutes irrespective of their nature as well as how far one could go before giving up. Milgram’s main objective encompassed ascertaining how people respond to authoritative figures. It was because of this that he emerged with the electrocution experiment. After the research, he noted that complying to orders normally varies depending on the type of instructions one ought to adhere. In his study, Milgram also noted that majority respond positively to instructions that descend from authoritative and respectable icons. This was divergent to how they reacted when asked to initiate the electrocution procedure (Milgram, 1963). Apart from the need to get rewards, studies also found most people exhibit compliance in a move to avoid adverse repercussions. These usually come alongside with disobeying orders in addition to having the belief that the authority is always legit. According to studies, a number of factors make people become obedient to an extreme level. Apart from people not wanting to offend the authoritative figures, they also come up with the perception that the behavior is a routine. Methodology In a move to prove the accuracy of the theory of compliance, Milgram came up with an experiment. In this experiment, a subject was made to electrocute a victim, though the act was not real, the subjects were not aware. This is because by them being aware it would have resulted to incorrect results. Forty volunteers underwent recruitment to take part in the experiment. The volunteers were of varying ages and education levels. There were those whom just passed elementary level as well as that had earned doctorate degrees (Milgram, 1963). Before, researchers informed volunteers that the experiment majorly focused on determining the effects of punishments. Each of the subjects had role of a teacher, whereby they were to question a victim, who was the student. The subjects were then to initiate the electrocution for every wrong answer that the student gave. The electrocution process was to start mildly and then gradually augmenting to severe levels. The main objective behind this experiment was to determine whether the subjects would initiate the electrocution process up to the heightened level (Milgram, 1963). Findings Prior to the experiment, each subject deemed the task was a move to help the victim learn certain word pairs. Hence, each mistake made was punishable through electrocution, which the subject had to initiate. For each default, the initiator had to flip a switch that would in turn electrocute the victim (Milgram, 1963). Throughout the entire process, there was the initiator whose role encompassed issuing electrocution orders. The experimenter stressed on the subjects accomplishing these instructions. In a move to make the electrocution real, the victim was to wince in pain each time the subject flipped the switch. After the experiment, the author inveiled two thirds of the subjects initiated the electrocution process. This was even after being aware that the victim was in extreme pain (Milgram, 1963). The reason as to why these subjects acted in such a manner was due to under pressure from the authoritative icon who acted as the key experimenter. Similarly, those who failed to electrocute the maximum voltage did so because they were afraid of the consequences that could come with electrocuting someone. They did not initiate the maximum electrocution even after assurance that though painful, the process was not dangerous. Importance of Study This text is essential especially in the current generation because through it, one is in a position to realize prompts of obedience or compliance vary significantly. For instance, whereas one can do it willingly, in some situations there is use of force. Similarly, in relation to the electrocution experiment, one is able to know that the reason as to why most people end up to resulting to atrocities is due to strict instructions that they ought to keep. Hence, in most cases, people commit atrocities in a move to impress authoritative icons. Similarly, they do so in a move to avoid any consequences that might come alongside with defying isued instructions. The other reason as to why the study is important is that it creates awareness of effects that result to following instructions blindly. Hence, it makes one be able to unveil right from wrong. This is because through awareness, there will be a decline of evil committed in the name of obedience. Through distinguishing right from wrong, there would be a decline in the number of massive deaths that are ever occurring around the globe. This is because just like during the Nazi regime, these killings are also due to people following instructions coming from one authoritative figure. Read More