Authority and Obedience

I teach Research Methods to Social Work Students. Last night the topic of discussion was ethics in research. I looked for a video of the Stanly Milgram experiment from 1960s to show to my class. I remember seeing a film about these experiments in the early 80s in my intro to psychology class. I still have a vivid memory of watching this film. One of the most unethical experiments on human subjects. I like using the experiment as one of the reasons that protections on human subjects has evolved since that time. Before class, I searched google to see if I could find a short video of what I witnessed when I was a student. I found the link below and when I watched it, it not just taught me and the class about human subjects, but it also discussed topic of authority and becoming a dictator. The description was scary because some of the elements parallel President Trumps actions since his inauguration. President Trump has signed executive order after executive order. I have not heard from many Representatives from the House or the Senate from his party disagree with his orders, or they are quietly saying something but not making it a big deal. The values of all Americans have similarities and some differences. I know that some of the decisions I disagree, what might be reasons to not hear disagreement from members of the Republican party? How is your conscience?

 Philip Zimbardo: The Milgram Experiment