Introduction
According to author William Golding, one of the themes of The Lord of the Flies is "man's inhumanity to man." Is the power of a situation stronger than the character or personality traits of those involved? To what degree do our surroundings shape who we are and how we act? For each assignment given in this webquest, you will be expected to research the links provided and prepare a formal typed-written response.
Process
Assignment 1:The Stanford Prison Experiment
The Stanford Prison Experiment was spearheaded by Dr. Phillip Zimbardo at Stanford University. After reading the experiment and its outcome, consider this question:
Is the power of a situation stronger than the character or personality traits of those involved? To what degree do our surroundings shape who we are and how we act?
Task: Provide answers to the above questions in a 100-word typewritten response after watching this video:
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZwfNs1pqG0]
Assignment 2: The Milgram Experiment
Read the information on Stanley Milgram, the My Lai Massacre, and Hugh Thompson, Jr.
http://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/my-lai-massacre
http://www.simplypsychology.org/milgram.html (only from the top of the page to Conclusion of the Experiment)
Task: Write a 150 word response typewritten on the following questions:
1. Based on your readings, why do you think Hugh Thompson, Jr. did what he did, even though it caused him to disobey his authorities?
2. How do his actions contrast with the results of the Milgram study on obedience to authority?
Assignment 3: Effects of Milgram Experiment in Iraq
Read the following articles and watch the following video on CNN on what happened to prisoners of war in Iraq and the recent criticism on the CIA and torture techniques. Think critically on who you think is to blame for what has happened after 9/11 in the torture of Middle East people by Americans.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/28/opinion/28lagouranis.html?pagewanted=print&_r=0
http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/09/politics/cia-reports-shocking-passages/
Task: Write a letter to the judge of the case involving these soldiers with your opinion. Your letter should be a half-page typed. You should include your opinion of who you believe is to blame. Are the soldiers to blame for their actions or are their officers in charge to blame? The soldiers believe they were following orders, yet the officers say those were not the orders. Who is right and who is to blame? Or do you believe all of them were right? You decide.
Assignment 4 – Those Who Rise Above
Find a story, biography, or article about a person who has shown extraordinary courage by rising above a difficult situation. The actions of this person should show an exception to Zimbardo’s claim that "the power of a situation is stronger than the character or personality traits of those involved.” (Hugh Thompson, Jr. is not an option.)
Task: In a 150-word, typewritten essay address the following questions:
What "situation" did this person rise above?
How would you expect the average person to react in this situation?
What did this person do that was so extraordinary?
If you were in this situation, how do you think you might act?