The Milgram Experiment Quiz

What was the central idea of the Milgram experiment?

• People are more likely to harm others when placed in a position of power over another human being.

• People will likely follow orders, even harmful ones, when instructed by an accepted authority figure.

• People cannot be held accountable for their actions when another person forces them to do something.

• People have very weak willpower and are easily prone to violence.

What are is a result founded in the study?

• People only obey orders when they agree with the ordering authority's morals, indicating that the participants agreed with the experimenters' harsh methods.

• The participants' personal consciences did not affect their actions, and so the results show that obedience totally eliminates personal guilt.

• The results are founded in recognizing and obeying authority, a behavior that is frequently learned while growing up.

• The prods became more authoritative as the participants gained more control, which disproved the Nazi soldiers' defense that they were powerless and had to follow orders.

How does the section entitled 'Milgram's Agency Theory' contribute to the author's explanation of obedience?

• It supports the idea that people will obey an authority when they believe that the authority will take responsibility for the consequences of their actions.

• It provides evidence that the participants were aware of the consequences of their actions.

• It highlights the ethical implications of the experiment and the impact on the participants' mental well-being.

• It explains how the participants were manipulated into obeying orders against their will.

How far were most people willing to go to obey authority?

• None of the participants were prepared to obey.

• All of the participants continued to 300 volts.

• Two-thirds of the participants continued to the highest level of 450 volts.

• All of the participants refused to continue after a certain point.

Are 'ordinary' people more likely than not to follow an authority figure?

• Yes, because obedience to authority is ingrained in people from a young age.

• Yes, because people are inherently obedient to authority figures.

• No, because people are more likely to resist authority and act independently.

• No, because people are more likely to question authority and make their own decisions.

A study like this would NOT be allowed today due to updated ethics standards.

• True

• False

Milgram's findings can be used to possibly explain why people have committed horrible acts throughout history, despite being considered 'good people' under other circumstances. With the findings of these study, how might such things be prevented from happening again?

• By implementing harsher punishments for those who obey harmful orders.

• By increasing surveillance and monitoring of individuals' behavior.

• By promoting critical thinking and encouraging people to question authority.

• By enforcing stricter laws and regulations to limit the power of authority figures.

Pick TWO of the BEST reasons why according to the study that people may have continued to shock the 'learners' despite the evidence of the 'learners' discomfort and pain.

• Because they are unaware of the consequences of their actions and the impact on others.

• Because they are influenced by authority figures and feel compelled to obey orders.

• Because they are inherently evil and enjoy causing harm to others.

• Because they lack a strong moral compass and are easily swayed by external influences.

What does the Milgram experiment reveal about the role of personal conscience in decision-making?

• Personal conscience plays a significant role in decision-making and can override obedience to authority.

• Personal conscience has no role in decision-making when an authority figure is involved.

• Personal conscience can be suppressed when individuals are under the influence of an authority figure.

• Personal conscience is the only factor that influences decision-making.

What is the significance of the Milgram experiment in understanding human behavior?

• It shows that people are inherently evil and enjoy causing harm to others.

• It demonstrates that people are more likely to follow orders, even harmful ones, when instructed by an accepted authority figure.

• It proves that people cannot be held accountable for their actions when another person forces them to do something.

• It indicates that people have very weak willpower and are easily prone to violence.