In one variation of the Milgram experiment, Milgram required the teacher to push the learner's hand onto a shock plate to receive the shock (instead of pushing a lever) . What effect did this have on obedience?

A) no effect--obedience levels remained at the same level as before
B) obedience was reduced to about half the previous level
C) obedience was entirely eliminated--no participant was willing to push the learner's hand onto a shock plate
D) obedience was increased moderately over the previous level

Question

Morgan Stork · Accepted Answer

Final Answer : B, Explanation :  Having to physically touch the learner in order to administer the shock made the task more personal and increased the level of empathy that the teacher felt towards the learner. This resulted in a decrease in obedience, with participants being less willing to administer the shocks. Specifically, obedience was reduced to about half the previous level.

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