Chapter 1. Obedience and Authority: A Laboratory...

Short Description

The narrator opens this video segment by explaining how a tiny camera passed through the digestive tract is used to measure how research participants cope with stress. The purpose of the study is to assess oneís willingness to obey an authority figure. The experimenter (the authority) explains that she is interested in understanding the effect of adrenaline on taste.

Long Description

The narrator opens this video segment by explaining how a tiny camera passed through the digestive tract is used to measure how research participants cope with stress. The purpose of the study is to assess oneís willingness to obey an authority figure. The experimenter (the authority) explains that she is interested in understanding the effect of adrenaline on taste. First, participants will rate the taste of chocolate on a scale from 1 to 10. Next, they will face a series of increasingly unpleasant experiences and each time rate the chocolate again. The hypothesis, as presented to the participants, is that increases in adrenaline (produced by the unpleasant experiences) will impact their taste ratings. However, the real question to be answered is the extent to which people will obey the instructions of an authority. The study begins with the participants rating the taste of chocolate. The researcher then presents the first unpleasant experience, which is to take a deep breath of a rotting fish. All comply and again rate the taste of chocolate. Next, the experimenter instructs each participant to dig out a fish eye. Again, there is full compliance. Although the participants appear calm, the tiny cameras within their digestive systems signal increased stress. The experimenter then uncovers a large container of swarming maggots. As the participants watch and rate the chocolate, they show signs of increased emotionóincluding short, clipped speech. Told to place their hands in the maggot container, the participants again follow orders. Even when asked to place a maggot on the tip of their tongue and then finally to swallow it, the participants obey. Full compliance is accompanied by high levels of stress, as measured by increased blood flow to the stomach and air bubbles in the intestine. In summary, people often unquestionably obey someone they perceive to be an authority figure, even if means enduring very unpleasant, stress-producing experiences.

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