Read and watch the presentation Death Game http://uwb2m-s.blogspot.com/2012/12/death-game.html
and comment on it here.
Do such experiments reveal people's true nature? Should scientists be allowed to do such research?
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I have heard about the Milgram's infamous experiment and I strongly believe, that all the experiments should be carefully considered - especially the ones that deal with such fragile matters. I agree that in many cases the side effects of an invention can't be predicted and the knowledge itself is not good or bad, but some experiments seem to be more problematic than others. To be honest, I wonder what was the actual purpose of this experiment (apart from revealing the cruelty of human nature). I am not sure whether the research in some areas should be officially forbidden, because there is always one vital question: who decides which ones. However some experiments remind me the ones "popular" during the Second World War and I definitely would not like them to be conducted in future, even if the reasons were far more noble. As for some TV shows - sometimes I get the impression, that we all take part in some kind of weird experiment ;) .
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how complicated our nature can be. Perhaps, because of lack a sense of danger and aware that it's only a game - there's no stress.
ReplyDeleteThe most scares me - is the fact that the war has brought greatest growth in medicine. War is the best drive for economic and technological development. It would appear, however, that in the constant stress we can do better.
I think it depends on our expectations. No one can force anyone to participate in such a program or any experiment, so if someone agrees to these conditions he knows what he's doing, anather think is that actions may be contrary to our nature. Milgram Experiment or The Death Game is the best example of
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's as bad as the article makes it sound. It's all a question of trust. In this case the participants trusted the scientists performing the experiment and believed that what they were doing (applying the electric shocks) was part of the experiment. And crucially THEY WERE RIGHT, the test subjects were in fact disconnected from the shock pulses and all reactions were faked. No real harm was done. So, if anything, the experiment proves that scientist can be trusted and should be trusted in such a setting (with cameras filming etc.). There's a saying: “it's all fun and games until someone gets hurt” and I think it applies here. The TV shows are acceptable because deep down we know it's all for show and fake TV drama, even if we suspend that belief sometimes to enjoy the show a bit more. Of course, as the saying warns, we should be careful with mindless fun or dangerous experiments. But I think we are and there's no reason for alarm.
ReplyDeleteI think that if we are researching people reaction for something, how they behave the subject shouldn’t know about the experiment or about the true nature of it because their reaction will change. Of course I’m against any cruelty and doing any experiment that could lead to mental disorientation or difficult social situations.
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ReplyDeleteIt's true that some scientific experiments cause a lot of controversy. The one presented: "Death Game" is a very interesting example of one that a lot of people may find unacceptable.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I find most experiments and research tolerable. The only ones I find unethical are those that are conducted without the consent of the participants, or those that take advantage of one's situation and somehow manipulate people into taking part in them. Some may say that "the end justifies the means" but I do not agree with this.
The fact that this experiment was a source of inspiration for a TV show is amusing to me (nowadays you can make a TV show out of anything!); the more controversial it is the more viewers it gets and this results in more cash from commercials. As for the participants/viewers of this show, I doubt that they would even remotely think that they might be doing anything wrong. I mean, they would probably think something like "how can I do anything wrong or hurtful to anyone if this is transmitted on TV? I'm sure that they're just trying to fool me!".
Although I think the presented experiment arrives at an interesting observation, I wonder about the usability of its outcomes. I do not think that we can make clear conclusions about human behavior based solely on one experiment. Plus, I disagree with the statement that humans are cruel by nature.
I think that if everyone was perfectly informed and able to stop the experiment at any moment the research should be allowed as any other. As to revealing human nature I think this it far too strong statement. I am not a psychologist but I think it cannot be proven that human nature is a constant and whether it does not change with experience. Although it can reveal a part of it for sure ( in this case for example sadist or masochist :) ).
ReplyDeleteI feel surprised and a little shocked by interests of our teacher ;-).
ReplyDeleteI don’t think that we can reveal people’s true nature by such experiments because they are based on lies. There is a big inconsistency between experimenter’s statements about experiment safety and heard learner’s reaction. On the other hand I think that most of us met situation when parents ignore their child cries and screams – if everything without child’s behavior looks “normally” we believe that parents know what they do. So we really are under influence of authorities.
I think you are absolutely spot on. As we all seem to complain about "blind obedience," we do not have much choice if you really want to live in a modern society. And most of the time, disobedience ends rather badly.
ReplyDeleteA psychological study like this would never be allowed in most countries today, due to ethical considerations. Ethics critique the study today about misleading the participants the. Critics also frequently point out the possible harm of the study to the participants the did.
The legal and Philosophic aspects of obedience are of enormous Importance, but they say very little about how most people behave in concrete Situations.
Do such experiments reveal people's true nature?
ReplyDeleteIt’s hard to separate pure human nature from the environment and current context of particular situation. Our nature is deep and such experiments can only reveal some parts.
Should scientists be allowed to do such research?
It is not a question of forbidding this kind of research. It’s rather a question of the purpose. Why would one perform that kind of test. What good this might bring?
Let’s concentrate on the bright side of a human nature and make it grow.
1. Do such experiments reveal people's true nature?
ReplyDeleteI think that definitely reveal part of the people's true nature and part of primary human instincts :)
A good example is the film: "Das Experiment" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Das_Experiment) which imaging human
behavior under pressure and in a different environment and roles.
2. Should scientists be allowed to do such research?
It depends for what purposes and what will be the effect on the "object of the experiment".
If the research will be used to learn - OK, if only to play (for example, TV shows) - NO.
Do such experiments reveal people's true nature?
ReplyDeleteI think that somthing like true people's nature dosen't exist for our nature have influance enviroment where we live people who we met.That experiments is only one of that influance. for example if you will told that blackbord is white but every day everyone who you met will be told you that blacbord is black for some time you will also told that blackbord is black.
Should scientists be allowed to do such research?
It depends on the purpose of that research if we do that because the want to know better some thing and if that research are property manage i think then it is ok
Such experiments do not define the true nature of humans. They solely prove that besides the rational mind there is a world of unconscious instincts. Complicated experiments are not needed, its enough to observe people under severe stress or skillfully manipulated by others. Experiments as the one described should be strictly controlled and restricted, just as it is with testing new medical drugs.
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