달빛영어

Grade Level: 10th Grade

Age: 15-16 years old

Duration: 60 minutes

Lesson Objectives:

Understand the concept of obedience to authority and its psychological basis.

Learn about Stanley Milgram's obedience experiment and its findings.

Discuss the implications of obedience to authority in society and its influence on individual decision-making and ethical considerations.

Materials:

Whiteboard or blackboard

Chalk or markers

Projector or screen for videos

Handout with discussion questions

Introduction (10 minutes):

Begin by asking students if they know what obedience to authority is and if they can provide examples from their own lives or popular culture.

Define obedience as a form of social influence where individuals comply with the orders or demands of an authority figure.

Introduce the Milgram experiment as a famous study on obedience to authority.

Instruction (20 minutes):

Provide an overview of Stanley Milgram's obedience experiment, including the study's design, procedure, and participants.

Show this short video to explain the Milgram experiment in more detail:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdrKCilEhC0

Discuss the main findings of the Milgram experiment, emphasizing the extent to which individuals are willing to obey authority figures even when it means causing harm to others.

Practice Exercises (15 minutes):

Distribute the handout with discussion questions related to the Milgram experiment.

Have students work in pairs or small groups to discuss the questions, which can include:

a. Why do you think people obey authority figures even when they know their actions are causing harm to others?

b. Can you think of examples from history or current events where obedience to authority had negative consequences?

c. How can we balance obedience to authority with ethical considerations in our daily lives?

Assessment (5 minutes):

Conduct a short verbal assessment by asking students to share their thoughts on the Milgram experiment and its implications for society.

Encourage them to reflect on how obedience to authority may impact their own lives and decision-making, as well as the importance of ethical considerations.

Extensions beyond the class:

Encourage students to research other famous experiments on obedience and authority, such as the Stanford Prison

Experiment or the Zimbardo Prison Experiment.

Assign students to write an essay on the role of obedience to authority in society, using examples from history, current events, or personal experiences, and discussing the importance of balancing obedience with ethical decision-making.

Interactive Fun Activities (10 minutes):

Role-Play Activity: In small groups, have students create and perform short role-play scenarios that illustrate obedience to authority in everyday situations (e.g., following school rules, obeying parents, adhering to workplace policies).

After each performance, hold a brief discussion on the type of obedience portrayed, potential consequences, and ethical considerations.

Class Discussion:

Facilitate a class discussion about the Milgram experiment, focusing on its ethical concerns, its relevance in today's society, and how students can apply its lessons to their own lives.

Encourage students to reflect on the importance of critical thinking and ethical decision-making when faced with authority figures.

Homework Assignment:

Assign students to write a one-page reflection on their experiences and thoughts about obedience to authority, including instances when they have obeyed or questioned authority, and what factors influenced their decisions.

Class Debate (Optional Extension Activity, 20 minutes):

Organize a class debate on whether obedience to authority is more beneficial or harmful to society.

Divide the class into two groups, with one group arguing in favor of obedience's positive aspects (e.g., maintaining order, promoting cooperation) and the other supporting the negative aspects (e.g., unethical actions, loss of personal autonomy).

Allow each group 5 minutes to present their arguments, followed by 2 minutes for rebuttals.

Facilitate a class discussion to help students appreciate the nuanced nature of obedience to authority and its diverse effects on society and individuals.

Ethics Discussion (Optional Extension Activity, 15 minutes):

In small groups or as a class, discuss the ethical issues surrounding the Milgram experiment itself, such as deception, emotional distress, and informed consent.

Have students consider whether the knowledge gained from the Milgram experiment justifies the ethical concerns, and what lessons can be learned about research ethics and the importance of protecting participants in psychological studies.

Online Resources for Further Learning:

A TED Talk by Philip Zimbardo, the psychologist behind the Stanford Prison Experiment, on the psychology of evil and the power of authority: https://www.ted.com/talks/philip_zimbardo_the_psychology_of_evil

The Atlantic article on the Milgram experiment and its enduring influence on psychology: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/01/rethinking-one-of-psychologys-most-infamous-experiments/384913/

Simply Psychology article on the Milgram obedience experiment, including detailed explanations and criticisms of the study: https://www.simplypsychology.org/milgram.html

By incorporating these additional components, students will gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of obedience to authority, its psychological underpinnings, and its impact on society and individual decision-making.

Moreover, students will develop critical thinking skills and ethical awareness that can help them navigate obedience pressures in their own lives and understand the importance of protecting participants in psychological research.