ETHICAL PROBLEMS
There are 3 main ethical issues with the Milgram experiment: deception, protection of participants, and right to withdrawal. Each of those issues, as well as Milgram’s argument, is discussed in detail below:
1) Deception – The participants actually believed they were shocking a real person, and were unaware the learner was a confederate of Milgram's. Milgram argued that “illusion is used when necessary in order to set the stage for the revelation of certain difficult-to-get-at-truths”. Milgram also interviewed participants afterwards to find out the effect of the deception and 83.7% said that they were “glad to be in the experiment”, while 1.3% said that they wished they had not been involved.
2) Protection of participants - Participants were exposed to extremely stressful situations that may have the potential to cause psychological harm. Many of the participants were visibly distressed. Milgram argued that these effects were only short term. Once the participants were debriefed, their stress levels decreased. Milgram also interviewed the participants one year after the event and concluded that most (83.7%) were happy that they had taken part.
3) Right to Withdrawal - Researchers should make it plain to participants that they are free to withdraw at any time (regardless of payment). The experimenter gave four verbal prompts which essentially discouraged withdrawal from the experiment:
- Please continue.
- The experiment requires that you continue.
- It is absolutely essential that you continue.
- You have no other choice, you must go on.