McArthur, D. "Good ethics can sometimes mean better science: research ethics and the Milgram experiments." Science And Engineering Ethics 15 (2009): 69-79. MEDLINE Complete. Web. 29 Oct. 2014.
Ethics Behind the Milgram Experiments
Within this article, McArthur explores the different sides of the Milgram experiments. These experiments were conducted in order to observe how far a person would go, their obedience, even if it meant harming another human being. An example of such experiment is the electric shock switch chair. Milgram would give the learner, or student, a set of paired words to study, once studied, the instructor would give him a word and the learner would have to match it. If the word was not matched, the instructor would administer a shock and each consecutive shock would be stronger, but the instructor would not know that the learner was actually an actor that was not getting shocked at all. McArthur argues that many psychologists may cite Milgram's experiments today, but ethically standing they may hold some error. Ultimately there are two views that come out of this; the conclusions of Milgram's experiments are rather harsh or that through today's ethical boards, peoples and experimental integrity are being secured, therefore enforcing "better science."
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