Discussion Prompt:

The focus of this module is the skill of explanatory synthesis and articles on how people respond to authority. Be sure to read all of the Chapter 9 articles before engaging in this discussion. These articles ask us to analyze how people respond to authority. This chapter, along with it’s articles, gives us various examples of how some people are willing to do bad things, as long as there is an entity with authority behind it. This is a very disturbing notion that many people would not believe or want to believe. That is totally understandable. However, review the articles that have facts to support them. No matter how we feel about the material, we can still use it to create an explanatory synthesis, even if we do not agree with it. This is the epitome of being objective. We may or may not agree with the material, but we can still explain it and synthesize it with other sources that are similar. Please understand that this is not implying that you can not eventually respond to an explanatory synthesis. That is not the meaning behind this module. In fact, if you can basically summarize a source, a skill that we have already developed and is related to explanatory synthesis, you may then be able to respond to it more credibly. Simply put, if you fully understand an article or source, you may be more effective when you argue for or against it. This is why this skill is so important. If you can take out your own subjective opinions, then you may be able to see the argument from another angle. This will make your eventual argument stronger. This will be further developed in the argument synthesis module. 

As for this module’s discussion, please engage in the following discussion to begin the Midterm Essay.

1.) In the first paragraph briefly summarize “The Power of Situations” by Ross and Nisbett. You do not have to directly quote the article. In fact, you should not directly quote from it. Instead, try to use this paragraph to explore the underlying ideas posed by the authors. Answer the question: From your reading of the article, does the article show that a predictor of a person’s behavior is either individual conscience, peer pressure, or situation? 

2.) In your second paragraph, summarize “The Milgrim Experiment” by McLeod. Again, you do not have to quote from it, but instead, try to find the overall meaning behind the article. As you summarize, ask yourself this question: why will some people listen to authority, even when it is obviously wrong to do so?

3.) For your last paragraph before your student response, explore both articles. Do you see any traits that both articles share? Try and combine your summaries of each article into one paragraph of 5-7 paragraphs. 

4.) Be sure to respond to another student

• In the first paragraph of your student response, look at the student’s last paragraph. Do you agree or disagree with their summary of both articles? The answer can be yes, no, and/or maybe. Just justify your answer fully addressing their answer. Do you think their answer is valid? Are they maybe missing something that you found in the articles? Explain. 
• In the second paragraph, using their paragraphs, see if you can find their interpretation of the articles and the use of authority in our modern world. Remember, examples help illustrate points, even if they are not ones from the articles. A more modern example may help synthesize the information more clearly and explain the concepts. 

Remember, this represents brainstorming. These ideas and discussions are your initial thoughts about the learning materials. It represents the first steps in creating a rough draft of your own essay. 

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Read chapter 9 page 243-266