Week 5 Discussion: Stanley Milgram Obedience Study

Week 5 Reading

Week 5 Reading

In this week’s reading we will be reading and learning about different types of social groups, conformity to group pressure and discuss the impact of social networks. We will also be learning about three types of formal organizations and how informal groups affect organizations. In Chapter 8, we will be reading about class structure and why social classes differ. We will also be exploring and learning about the different types of social mobility and evaluate theoretical explanations of social stratification.

• Read Chapters 6 & 8 in SOC6, 6th edition by Nijole V. Benokraitis.
• https://brytewave.redshelf.com/app/ecom/shelf- This is link for the textbook.
• The login is [email protected]
• The password is Budbud20!
• Everything is in APA 7th Edition
• Responses to two peers will come later.
• Watch the Stanley Milgram Obedience video below (9:54). In your discussion post, answer all the questions posed below using terms and concepts learned this week.
• Direct link to video embedded above.
  1. What role does authority play in the experiment and why is it important to the experiment?
  2. What would you have done if the researcher said the same things to you? Would you go all the way? Explain why/why not.
  3. Do you think this accurately reflects our behavior in groups and organizations? Explain. (i.e., Do we just blindly follow authority figures?)
  4. Think of situations where this has occurred (ex--> Abu Ghraib, Enron, Hazing Rituals, Mai Lai Massacre, etc.) Why did subordinates follow the commands of those in authority in those situations?
  Discussion Post Expectations:
  • In your initial post, be sure to answer the questions fully. Strive for a minimum 200 words and not more than 300 words. You are not expected to write mini-essays or monologues, just to back up your examples and opinions with sufficient evidence that your reader will believe in what you say.
  • Posts should be relevant to the topic being discussed but should also attempt to introduce a new point of view or piece of information or otherwise further the discussion.