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How did Milgram justify the necessity of his experiment?

  1. Participants were financially compensated

  2. It aimed to resolve scientific questions

  3. Participants consented and its usefulness

  4. It adhered strictly to ethical guidelines

The correct answer is: Participants consented and its usefulness

Milgram justified the necessity of his experiment primarily by emphasizing participants' consent and the scientific usefulness of the findings. His research sought to investigate the extent to which individuals would obey authority figures, even when their orders conflicted with personal conscience. By obtaining informed consent, Milgram aimed to ensure that participants were aware of the nature of the study and could make an informed decision about their involvement. Additionally, Milgram highlighted the research's relevance to understanding human behavior, particularly in the context of historical events like the Holocaust, where ordinary people were compelled to commit acts of violence under authoritative pressure. This focus on the importance of the findings added substantial weight to the justifications for conducting the experiment, despite the ethical concerns that later arose regarding the emotional distress of participants.