[xmca] Milgram uncensored

[Andy Blunden <ablunden@mira.net>]

People on this list will know about the Milgram experiments in the early 
1960s, where experimental subjects were manipulated into administering 
what they may have thought were lethal electric shocks on other people 
in a fake experiment.

The current issue of "Theory & Psychology" has a paper by Ian Nicholson 
who has had access to the reports of Milgram's subjects. These reports 
not only invalidate the claims made for the experiment, but show that 
the actions of Milgram and his staff are what really needs to be subject 
to research. The experience of the subjects varied considerably, but all 
were traumatised to one degree or another by the experiment, some 
seriously. In many cases, it could be compared to being an audience 
member invited by a magician to come on stage and saw a woman in two, 
and then see this publicly portrayed as demonstrating your own cruelty 
and inhumanity. But Milgram and his team knew very well the 
psychological suffering they were inflicting on their subjects for the 
very real rewards of fame and status.

Andy
--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Andy Blunden*
Joint Editor MCA: http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/hmca20/18/1
Home Page: http://home.mira.net/~andy/
Book: http://www.brill.nl/default.aspx?partid=227&pid=34857

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