The First Account
I have decided to volunteer in a social psychology experiment, and now there is a person being restrained to a chair in front of me. I have been told to use the electric shocks to investigate how this person learns, but I am wary, as I will not know how much pain the learner will feel (“Obedience to Authority” 00:02:06-00:02:40). I do not see the other person, but I can imagine what they are experiencing because I can hear them (“Obedience to Authority” 00:06:05-00:06:19). The learner’s occasional screams make me uncomfortable, and I want to stop, but each time I am instructed that the experiment requires me to continue (“Obedience to Authority” 00:04:44-00:04:52). However, as I am advised to utilize the electric shocks when I do not receive a response to a question, I think that I must stop (“Obedience to Authority” 00:08:07-00:08:24). I believe the punishment to be inhumane and unnecessary, as the experiment could have been conducted with other methods that do not inflict suffering.
The Second Account
I have decided to participate in a social psychology experiment with another person. I have been told to act as a teacher and use the electric shocks to observe how this person learns (“Obedience to Authority” 00:02:06-00:02:40). The learner is in a different room, but I can hear them, and it appears that they are experiencing pain, asking to let them out (“Obedience to Authority” 00:06:05-00:06:44). Nevertheless, I am told to continue regardless, and I do as I do not want the experiment to fail because of me (“Obedience to Authority” 00:06:30-00:07:21). I understand that I am the one operating the electric shocks, but I am simply doing what the professor is instructing (“Obedience to Authority” 00:06:45-00:07:21). I don’t particularly appreciate inflicting pain, but I feel the need to follow the requirements to achieve sufficient results.
Work Cited
“Obedience to Authority_Stanley Milgram Experiment.” Dailymotion, uploaded by Socialontology, 2010, Web.