ATS2875 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: The Dilemma, Cybernetics, Samuel R. Delany
30 Aug 2018
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The learner is conducted into a room, seated in a chair and his arms are strapped in to prevent excessive movement and an electrode to his wrist. He is told that he is to learn a list of word pairs and when he makes and error he will receive an electric shock of increasing intensity: the real focus of the experiment is the teacher. After watching the learner be strapped into place he is taken to the experimental room and is seating in front of the shock generator. The adjustments help the subject maintain his relationship with the experimenter, while at the same time reducing the strain brought about by the experimental conflict. He divests himself of responsibility by attributing all initiative to the experiment, a legitimate authority. In this situation 37 of 40 adults continued to shock at the highest level: they excused their behaviour by saying that the responsibility belonged to the man who actually pulled the switch.
