Milgram, 1961, explains the technique of disparaging subservience experiment in his article. It involves administering punishment from Slight Shock to Danger: Severe Shock involving shock generator with 30 graded switches. The purpose of such experiment is to measure the obedience level of the subjects in the context of learning research (Milgram 371).
It is conducted in the grounds of Yale University; by ordering two sets of subjects, the other a teacher and the other a student, done in pairs. Questions were asked and if the answer given by a student is wrong, the higher level of shock would be given. The responses varied and some of the participants were not able to proceed, either the one taking the role of a teacher or a student. The subjects were also assured that they would leave the laboratory in a complete state of well-being and no long-lasting damage will done. The age of the subjects varied between 20-50 from the local communities.
Some of the subjects had reached the maximum level of shocks while others were not able to proceed. The most common result is the nervous laughter that came from the students, the one being shocked. Others wring their hands, profuse sweating and nervousness. Other teachers also did not continue because they could not handle inflicting such punishment.
The early notion of the experiment predicted that a significant minority would go through all the levels of shock although upon command, some of the subjects went beyond the expected breakoff point.
Two findings were found which were surprising. First is that the absolute force of obedient propensities demonstrated in the situation and that it is not right to hurt another against his will. The second is the unexpected effect of the extraordinary pressure produced by the procedures; the subject simply did not break off.
References
Milgram, Stanley. “Behavioral Study of Obedience.” Journal of Abnormal and Social
Psychology 67.4 (1963): 371-378. Web. 27 June 2015.
