Milgram’s classic experiment is one of the most famous psychological experiments in history. It was designed to explore people’s willingness to obey authority figures even when doing so went against their moral beliefs. In this article, we will examine the findings revealed by virtual reality (VR) versions of Milgram’s classic experiment.
Original Experiment: Milgram’s Classic Experiment
Milgram’s original experiment involved a “teacher” and a “learner” in a room. The teacher was instructed to give electric shocks to the learner, who was strapped to an electrode. The teacher was told that the shocks were harmless, but in reality, they were fatal. The experiment was designed to test people’s willingness to obey authority figures even when doing so went against their moral beliefs.
Findings of the Original Experiment:
The original experiment revealed a startling finding: 65% of participants obeyed the teacher’s instructions and gave the maximum number of electric shocks, despite knowing that it was fatal. The experiment demonstrated that people are more likely to obey authority figures than they are to act on their moral beliefs.
Virtual Reality Versions of Milgram’s Classic Experiment
Recent studies have used virtual reality (VR) technology to replicate Milgram’s classic experiment. These VR versions have allowed researchers to explore the effects of virtual environments on people’s willingness to obey authority figures.
Findings of Virtual Reality Versions:
The findings of the VR versions of Milgram’s classic experiment are similar to those of the original experiment. In a study conducted by Slater et al. (2010), participants were equally likely to obey the teacher’s instructions in both the virtual and the real world. The study demonstrated that people’s willingness to obey authority figures is not influenced by whether the environment is virtual or real.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, virtual reality (VR) versions of Milgram’s classic experiment have revealed findings similar to those of the original experiment. People are just as likely to obey authority figures in virtual environments as they are in real life. The study by Greenwald et al. (2014) suggests that people’s willingness to obey authority figures may be influenced by their sense of anonymity and invisibility in virtual environments. Further research is needed to explore the effects of VR on people’s behavior and decision-making processes.