Milgram's Experiment 18

Details

You take a seat at the table. Before you are 30 switches. Each switch generates an electric shock at a higher voltage than the last. From 15 volts to 450 volts. You note some labels besides some of the switches. These proceed from "slight shock" all the way up to "danger: severe shock" on the second to last switch. The last switch is just labelled "XXX".

You volunteered to help with this study on learning and memory. How much does punishment impact learning? For this experiment you will be the teacher. You have met the subject. The learner. She will sit in the room next door, attached by electrodes to the shock generator. Which of you would be the teacher and the learner were determined at random.

The learner is strapped into her chair, the electrodes are attached, and the door between the 2 rooms is closed. Shocks will be administered by the teacher for wrong answers. The experimenter has told both of you that the shocks will be painful, but no tissue damage will result.

You were given the electrodes earlier to experience what the 15 volt shock is like. You will now teach the learner the tasks. Your instructions are to increase the voltage by 15 volts each time you get a wrong answer. She indicates her answer by pressing one of four buttons.

The experiment begins.

As you proceed, the voltage level rises.. 45... 90 volts... 105 volts.

You can hear the learner grunt in pain. At 120 volts, the learner complains about the pain.

135 volts

150 volts. The learner screams: “get me out of here! I refuse to go on.”

You look to the experimenter, who says to you: "You can’t stop now. The experiment depends on your continuing compliance.” You feel tense and stressed..

285 volts The learner cries out: "I can’t stand the pain,”

300 volts. Banging on the wall from the learner in the other room demanding to be let out. She complains about her heart condition.

315 volts. More banging on the wall.

330 volts. Silence from the other room. The experimenter tells you that rules of the experiment require that no answer be treated as a wrong answer. You must administer a shock and increase the voltage. The experimenter tells you will not be held responsible.

You question the experiment. You want to stop. The experimenter: "Please continue"

345 volts Silence. "The experiment requires that you continue."

385 volts Silence. "It is absolutely essential that you continue."

400 volts. Silence. "You have no other choice, you must go on."

450 volts. Silence

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