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Post by Mr. Thomas on Oct 15, 2013 16:41:26 GMT -5
Post responses here.
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Post by seandelossantos on Oct 15, 2013 16:50:02 GMT -5
Sean de los Santos Mr. Thomas English 11 15 october 2013 Milgram Expiriment
A. This relates to present day in which it relates to interrogations of many people by the government. This experiment reminds me of many different stories of interrogation. I’ve heard many different stories that sound similar to the studies and experiments. This experiment messes with the others mind due to the fact they don’t know if the man is really getting shocked. The illusion is given to a prisoner in which his mind will be emotionally traumatized by all of the screaming. This experiment disillusions the Teacher from what the reality actually is.
C. This article confuses me in many different ways for many different reasons. One particularly reason this confused me was what was this experiment going to accomplish? What was this experiment going to show the world? It is crazy what Milgram was thinking during the time of the experimentation. The second question I have was why did only fourteen teachers stop the shocks. It was crazy how twenty-six teachers didn’t stop the questioning. It amazes me how the teachers were able to get past all of the screaming and pain of the participant they were questioning.
E. My reaction to a Milgram is surprise and disbelief. I am surprised due to the fact he was able to conduct such a mind-boggling experiment. I am surprised how he was able to look upon the participant’s reactions to the many different screams. I am in disbelief because I can’t believe that Milgram could make such a crazy experiment.
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Post by joeroperti on Oct 15, 2013 18:10:51 GMT -5
Joe Roperti Mr.Thomas english 11 15 october 2013
A. The milgram experiment could relate to a movie and present day US Government policy called rendition. Rendition is a policy in which a person is captured because of suspicion of terrorism or any threat to our national security and is taken and "handed over to our interaction agencies in other con tries in which tourture is legal. This is also an experiment for means of interrogation just like the mil gram experiment was social illusion. C. This article confused and moved me in a weird way. I didn't understand how these experiments weren't stop especially because of the cruelty that went on. Especially how the people they selves were able to sustain the mental agony and not kill themselves because at this point i feel like i would. E. My reaction was pure amazement on how this was able to go on and that there was a person that came up with this idea on how to experiment with people and push them to their mental limits. It kind of made me think of how one can utilize a single factor in ones normal day life and completely change someones life forever.
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Post by odonnelle on Oct 15, 2013 20:42:18 GMT -5
Milgram Study C. What in God’s name would lead the “teachers” to not demand to see the “learner” after silence ensued? Why would they see fit to continue as they have after both they and the second party would apparently be in great distress? Were they under the assumption that the balance of the world relied on this study?
E. I find it absolutely horrifying that the “teachers” were unable to ever stop and completely reconsider what they were doing. It would be one thing if they were getting their jollies out of the experiment, but few were able to complete the experiment without having gritted their teeth and dug into their own skin. They weren’t at all enjoying what they were doing, yet they grudgingly continued. So, even when doing something that is physically painful to do, the subjects were unable to stop and reconsider the morality of what they were doing. They were doing the wrong thing and their body was physically signaling that fact, but that did not endow them with the strength to stand up and stop it. The implications are unfortunate, to say the least.
F. Heh. Well, the relationship between the “teacher” and the “learner” is interesting, to say the least, and I think a lot of it was driven by the fact that the two were not face-to-face when the questions were being administered. If the “teacher” saw at all times that he was administering questions to a human with a face, there is little reason to assume that the “teacher” would not have gone out of his/her way to at least comfort the “learner” as the pain got more intense. But, because there was no visual evidence that the “learner” was human, it certainly made it easier to inflict pain than if the “teacher” could see the person they were administering questions to.
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Post by emmanuelluna on Oct 16, 2013 16:40:49 GMT -5
Emmanuel Luna
Mr. Thomas
English 11
10/16/13
A. The Milgram Experiment was really interesting to me because I feel that it reveals a darker part of human nature that we don’t normally see. I already have some knowledge on the Milgram Experiment because in my global class last year when we were studying the rise of the Nazis and Hitler, we studied the Milgram Experiment beforehand. We studied it in context to the Nazis because it showed that some people did the horrible things they did because they were “just following orders.” By thinking that way we learned that it took off some of the blame from them because they were being ordered to do it as if they have no free will to do the right thing. It shows a darker, weaker side of humans where we sometimes act as puppets in the hands of another just because we are ordered to.
C. My only question from the Milgram Experiment is why most people are so weak-minded and why very few had the will-power to stop conducting the experiment. It fascinates me how weak humans can be and how they rarely question what they do when ordered by an authority.
E. It doesn’t surprise me that the “teachers” would continue the experiment to the bitter end because past human events show that people very often follow orders to their end despite the orders being wrong or cruel. Humans very often submit completely to an authority and therefore will do whatever is asked of them from that authority.
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Post by matthewchan on Oct 16, 2013 17:09:18 GMT -5
Matthew Chan Mr. Thomas English 11 16 October 2013
A. I think we can relate both passages, especially Milgram Study, to today’s world. This passage reminds me of the freedom we have. In today’s world, one has the right to remain silent and not say anything. However, Milgram’s idea is completely breaking a person’s freedom and rights. It seems that it is stripping away their dignity and freedom to do what they want. I’m surprised some states still use this method to interrogate people. C. Why are people so cruel? Don’t people have feelings or emotions during this difficult process? It seems that many people don’t care about the learners. The experimenters and teachers are watching and listening to the learner become weaker and more painful. Doesn’t the sound of the learner screaming and yelling make them feel embarrassed, worried, or ashamed? I would feel ashamed if I was the teacher or experimenter because this is not only hurting the learner but, it is hurting yourself as well. E. I am very sorry for those who went through this difficult process. Just thinking about it makes me worried and somewhat afraid. It feels like your body is taken over by others who you don’t know at all. Like Sean said, I’m very surprised only fourteen teachers stopped the shocks while the other twenty-six teachers didn’t. This really shows how people don’t care about others and the kind of world we live in today.
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Post by matthewsegarra on Oct 16, 2013 19:03:21 GMT -5
Matthew Segarra Mr. Thomas English 11 17 October 2013
A. This relates to present day interrogations given to enemies of the government. The experiments conducted remind me of governmental torture interrogations. There are scenes from many spy movies and books that relate to these experiments. This is a psychological experiment that toys with perception. The prisoner is supposed to become traumatized after the experiment. After this experiment, the teacher forgets what reality is.
C. Why are these people so evil? Why do they not show any emotion or feelings? It would seem as if no one cared about the learners. The people conducting the experiment just watched as the learners suffered. Do they not feel anything when the learner is screaming and yelling? I would feel horrible if I was just watching as someone suffered right before my eyes. They have the power to stop this, but yet they just let it happen.
E. It did not surprise me that the “teachers” let this happen at all. They are like robots, heartless, and emotionless. They just carry out orders and justify it by saying that they are just doing what they are told. They are being morally unjust. They just completely submit to higher authority and do whatever is asked of them to. It is like they do not think on their own, and cannot act on their own.
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Post by eointunney on Oct 16, 2013 19:03:36 GMT -5
Eoin Tunney Mr. Thomas English 11 16 October 2013
A. When I was in Ireland over the summer I saw a show, which did scientific experiments, and this particular episode happened to be on the Milgram Experiment. They set it up exactly like Milgram did, but the people who were asking the questions and given the shock were paid around 50 euros if they completed the task. This was an absolutely amazing experiment. Most of the people quit because the voice recording made them feel horrible. I remember one girl started crying and couldn’t believe that she was hurting the man. But some people did go through and they said their reason for continuing was because the administer told them it was essential they complete the task. Its amazing how some people were actually able to complete it. It shows how some people can be so ruthless just because it was their job, which directly relates to the case with Adolf Eichmann.
A. While reading “The Banality of Evil” two things, which relate to this story, came to me. The first is, Since Eichmann argued that he was only doing his job what would the difference between Eichmann and a Hit man be. These people are supposedly doing their jobs, so would Hitler and the man who hired the hit man be the most important people to blame for these situations. I believe the person who set up everything should take most of the blame, but the people who followed the orders should not be punished any less. The second thing, which popped into my mind, was the military. These men and women are paid to fight overseas. I understand that killing is required when in war, but I always hear reports of civilians in these overseas countries being brutally murdered by our military. This makes me wonder why they aren’t getting into trouble for this, but most people look at that as the military just doing their job.
C. The Milgam experiment is an amazing experiment, but honestly the results from it are frightening. 26 people went on to kill the person they were asking the questions to. This is frightening because if 26 out of every 40 people in they world were like this we’d have a very cruel and vicious world. It demonstrates how weak people can be, and also shows how someone can bully another person into doing something they don’t want to do.
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Post by johnmarano on Oct 16, 2013 19:35:38 GMT -5
John Marano
Mr. Thomas
English 11
16 October 2013
C. This Milgram experiment seems to have all of our classmates in shock. Why did the teachers not stop the experiment? Why do these people not have any remorse or care at all? It is honestly shameful. Human dark side is revealed and it is not pleasant. Why were the teachers let all of this madness happen? This goes to show again, like Emmanuel said, that the teachers are just obeying the orders and not caring of the consequences.
D. I enjoyed the entire experiment in the “Milgram Study.” I like how I was able to learn that Stanley Milgrim desired to test obedience to authority. I think this is something that really needed to be tested and drastically impacted way of life. He used teachers as participants and students as actors. I specifically like “no teacher firmly refused to stop the shocks before 300 volts.” This really showed the capabilities of some people, and it shows how mean people can be. The story gives a great understanding of how ruthless and dark humans can be. His experiment helped me learn a lot about how some people “function.”
I. I would like to point out that Emmanuel Luna had a great response to the Milgram Study story. I like how we both had similar reactions. When I was reading this story, I thought back to how it was used in the Holocaust Era. Emmanuel also does a great job when he says that people were doing some cruel things simply because other people ordered them too. I also like his questions toward the story. WHY did people not have will power to stop the experiment? It is so shocking.
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Post by georgebaroudos on Oct 16, 2013 19:46:26 GMT -5
George Baroudos Mr. Thomas English 11 15 October 2013
A – The Banality of Evil really reminded me of the main character in Old School by Tobias Wolfe. Both are so into the lifestyle they have lived that when they are faced with their consequences they are in disbelief. These men have lived a lie and it caught up to the character in Old School by being expelled and it lead to trial for Adolf Eichmann. Adolf is brainwashed into doing his job and was probably afraid when he was convicted of crimes against humanity. Adolf lies to himself at the beginning figuring that he is just completing his task. But as humans we all have the free will to make our own decisions, he does not leave even when he knows it is wrong.
I – In class we have spoken about the evilness that surrounds our earth. We have spoken about evil characters that honestly have no care. Adolf Eichmann is an evil individual who deserves to be prosecuted. But I am unsure if he is the only one being prosecuted. If there are more why does his get so much fame. All the Nazis must have similar mindsets. All the Nazis were brainwashed and turned into twisted and sick individuals. But I do not think its fair to prosecute only one of the so many. Evil is present in all murderers, especially the Nazis who killed for no reason. But if you prosecute one I think we have to prosecute all.
D – “The notorious Milgram Study is one of the most well known of psychology experiments.” This seems like a relevant in science because they witness how easy one can be enthralled with directions. Humans can so easily be manipulated and it’s a harsh truth that we must all face. As a whole we are easily manipulated and it is evident through the experiment. We also tend to fool ourselves often. It is tragic in many ways, but that is life.
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Post by 1adams12 on Oct 16, 2013 19:50:12 GMT -5
Michael Adams Mr. Thomas 10/16/13
A. For both articles it seems that people could be fooled dirtily into doing things that they would rather not do, simply after doing it a little bit. I feel that this can happen in the common world, but not as badly. For example gang members who leave after a while. There are people in gangs who appreciate what they are being told, also known as being brain washed and then they realize that what these gang members are telling them to do is wrong, and thus wants to leave before something worse happens.
C. One thing that I did not understand was the fact that people can be told to do something bad, but then not think about it after it is said? Are they being threatened because that is the only thing can make this sounds sense. Another thing that I don't understand is how can someone not be that important if that person is listening to the person that is telling them to do something bad, and then then those people telling what to do turns around and says, your only a machine. How screwed up is that?
D. One of the many lines that I liked in the article "The Banality of Evil" is "if the defendant excuses himself on the ground that he acted not as a man but a mere functionary whose functions could just easily have been carried out by an one else, it is as if a criminal pointed to the statistics of a crime-which set forth that so-and-so many crimes per day are committed in such-and-such a place-and declared that he only did what was statistically expected, that it was mere accident that he did it and not somebody else, since after all somebody had to do it" (page 3). I thought this was particularly funny because how can someone doing something bad, be innocent if he "excuses himself on the ground that he acted not as a man". I believe that this should not happen because if you do something bad, you should be still known as a criminal no matter how sorry you are for doing that horrible act, like killing someone.
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Post by matthewko on Oct 16, 2013 20:06:31 GMT -5
Matthew Ko Mr. Thomas English 11 16 October 2013
C. With the Milgram study, I wonder what caused these Teachers to go so far. Immediately, you would think that someone would stop because hurting another human being intentionally is very hard for someone to do mentally. I also wonder if the people behind this experiment somehow played a big role in telling the teacher he could not stop.
E. When I read, "Only 14 out of 40 teachers halted the experiment before administering a 450 volt shock," I was shocked that the people went through this pain of knowing your intentionally hurting someone. Even with the prerecorded sounds of a person screaming, the teachers still went forth with the volt. This just shows how if your told something then this can really impact you psychologically that can evolve into a crazy mindset.
F. The teacher and Eichmann share a very common mindset. This Milgram study directly related to Eichmann and also Abigail knowingly going far measures for only bad conclusions. Eichmann states that he was only doing his job when Hitler reigned and he did not see anything wrong with that. Abigail also kept going to extreme measures because of influential thought of John Proctor. Being that there is a goal ahead of you and that you were influenced or told by someone (experimenters, Hitler) then chances are you would probably listen. All these characters possessed this and showed the world that anyone can convince people to do anything, even under crazy circumstances.
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Post by Sgarlato on Oct 16, 2013 20:42:24 GMT -5
Stephen Sgarlato Mr. Thomas English 11 10/16/13
D. The Milgram Study entertained more than the “Banality of Evil” because I liked the fact that the teacher was being deceived and actually believed that the learner would get shocked every wrong answer. It amazed me how they did this experimental study and how people actually believed it.
C. What confused me about the Milgram Study was why they even tried it in the first place. Like what was the reason behind testing out this. Did they want to see how people react when lied too or when they hear forms of torture. What was philological about this experiment and what did they want to find out?
A. The government can relate to the Milgram Study because they have scientists that do different experiments on the brain and the functions of it. They do this to further learn how the brain reacts to certain things so they can use it for our own benefit. I just didn’t understand the purpose for the experiment in the first place. Was it for knowledge gain or was it for miscellaneous reasons.
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Post by connor on Oct 16, 2013 21:18:10 GMT -5
Connor Ryan Mr. Thomas English 11 10/16/13 E. I had the same reaction to the Milgram Study as my classmates did. I was incredibly shocked at the fact that the teachers were able to go on with the experiment when they were hearing the screams. It made me think that the people who are suppose to be guiding us and teaching us how to live are able to do such horrific acts. If people who are taught to teach you the good thing can do such thing, what can the people who were not taught the difference between right and wrong do. I totally have the same feeling as Joe Roperti did in question c. It is totally shocking that people were able to keep doing the experiment after hearing how much pain they were inflicting on the students. A lime that I felt can relate to a modern event in Milgram Study is "Milgram experiment and the later Stanford prison experiment were frightening in their implications about the danger lurking in human nature's dark side"(Milgram). This relates to the modern tv show "The Revolution" because we see people's reactions when society falls apart. Every human has a dark side when they are put into a life and death situation. They will do what ever is needed to stay alive. In the Revolution we can see people's dark side by all the killing that takes place. The experiment shows that people might shows their dark side just by following orders no matter how bad the thing is.
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Post by bourdonm15 on Oct 16, 2013 22:04:14 GMT -5
Matthew Bourdon Mr. Thomas English 11 10/16/13 D. I really enjoyed reading about the Milgram Study. I felt like it was a very creative experiment that showed the hidden cruelness people have. It was interesting and honestly very different from any experiement I have read about before. “Both were separated in separate rooms and could only hear each other.” This must have been very weird for both of the people in the rooms only being able to hear themselves and only the teachers able to hear the screams from the electric shock. It was an experiment that worked without hurting anyone which I thought was great. E. The idea that I found intriguing was the amount of people that refused to go on with the experiment. “Only 14 out of 40 teachers halted the experiment before administering a 450 volt shock”. It is kind of hard to believe that these teachers hear the shock and a person screaming and they continue on with the experiment. I definitely would have asked to stop the experiment once I heard the shock and shrieking. That is very compelling how most of these people reacted and how they just sort of shrug the noises off and continued. I. I agree with Emmanuel’s comment on how the Milgram experiment reminds him of the Nazi’s. The Nazi’s did horrible and terrible things just because they were commanded to do so. It shows that they have no respect for their own thoughts and ideas if they carried on with the horrible things that they did.
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