Milgram’s experiment on obedience to authority is one of the best known studies in social psychology. It was repeated several times in different variations. These replications extended our knowledge about the phenomenon of complying to authorities’ orders. One of them was the experiment conducted by Hofling et al. This essay will outline the similarities and differences between these two studies. Firstly, in their aims, results and conclusions. Secondly, their methodological and ethical aspects.
The first similarity between the studies lies in their aims. Milgram (1963 cited in Banyard, 2012) was trying to explain the cruelties of The Second World War. He claimed that Nazis were led by obedience to authority. In order to test it, he conducted …show more content…
Before Milgram conducted his research, he has asked several people for their predictions on the results. No one, including experts, expected anyone apart from extreme cases to continue administering the electric shocks up to 450V. The experts expected most of the participants to refuse to continue before 150V. Results of Milgram’s experiment support the hypothesis that the obedience to authority could induce people to contribute to the Second World War’s homicide. Results of Hofling et al.’s study show that obedience to authority can lead to violations of procedures and, consequently, putting human health and life into risk where the special care and meticulousness is expected. Both studies lead to conclusion that obedience to authority can lead to fatal consequences and this problem might be underestimated.
Milgram and Hofling et al. have found the possible danger of obedience in different groups of people. In Milgram’s experiment the participants were 40 men in age range of 20-50 that can be described as average members of public. Hofling et al. conducted his study on 22 nurses. The phenomenon of obedience to authority was found both among average people and professional group to which people’s health and life is entrusted commonly. The selection of participants was not the only methodological difference between the …show more content…
The experimenter in Milgram’s study was present in the same room where a participant was performing his task. Moreover, if the participant expressed doubts regarding further continuation, the experimenter would encourage him to continue four times using phrases such as ‘Please continue’ or ‘It is absolutely essential that you continue’ (1963 cited in Banyard, 2012). In Hofling et al.’s experiment the authority commanded the participants through a telephone and asked them to carry out the order before the authority arrived to the hospital. As the further Milgram’s research on different variations of his experiment shows, the presence of an authority is an important factor increasing the impact of obedience to
The first similarity between the studies lies in their aims. Milgram (1963 cited in Banyard, 2012) was trying to explain the cruelties of The Second World War. He claimed that Nazis were led by obedience to authority. In order to test it, he conducted …show more content…
Before Milgram conducted his research, he has asked several people for their predictions on the results. No one, including experts, expected anyone apart from extreme cases to continue administering the electric shocks up to 450V. The experts expected most of the participants to refuse to continue before 150V. Results of Milgram’s experiment support the hypothesis that the obedience to authority could induce people to contribute to the Second World War’s homicide. Results of Hofling et al.’s study show that obedience to authority can lead to violations of procedures and, consequently, putting human health and life into risk where the special care and meticulousness is expected. Both studies lead to conclusion that obedience to authority can lead to fatal consequences and this problem might be underestimated.
Milgram and Hofling et al. have found the possible danger of obedience in different groups of people. In Milgram’s experiment the participants were 40 men in age range of 20-50 that can be described as average members of public. Hofling et al. conducted his study on 22 nurses. The phenomenon of obedience to authority was found both among average people and professional group to which people’s health and life is entrusted commonly. The selection of participants was not the only methodological difference between the …show more content…
The experimenter in Milgram’s study was present in the same room where a participant was performing his task. Moreover, if the participant expressed doubts regarding further continuation, the experimenter would encourage him to continue four times using phrases such as ‘Please continue’ or ‘It is absolutely essential that you continue’ (1963 cited in Banyard, 2012). In Hofling et al.’s experiment the authority commanded the participants through a telephone and asked them to carry out the order before the authority arrived to the hospital. As the further Milgram’s research on different variations of his experiment shows, the presence of an authority is an important factor increasing the impact of obedience to