Hofling Hospital Experiment

Hofling Hospital Experiment is a landmark study in the field of psychology, specifically in the area of obedience. Conducted by Charles K. Hofling, this experiment was designed to test the levels of obedience to authority figures in a hospital setting.

Background

The Hofling Hospital Experiment was conducted in 1966 by Charles K. Hofling, a psychiatrist. The experiment was designed to test whether nurses would obey an order from a doctor that violated hospital rules. The study was a response to the Milgram Experiment, which demonstrated high levels of obedience to authority figures, even when the orders given were ethically questionable.

Method

In the experiment, a fake doctor called 22 nurses at a hospital in the United States. The doctor ordered the nurses to administer a non-existent drug called "Astroten" to a patient. The drug was not on the approved list, and the dosage was twice the maximum limit stated on the box. The doctor said he would sign the necessary paperwork later.

Results

Out of the 22 nurses, 21 obeyed the orders without question. Only one nurse refused to administer the drug. The results of the experiment showed a high level of obedience to authority figures in a hospital setting, even when the orders given were against hospital rules.

Implications

The Hofling Hospital Experiment has significant implications for the field of medical ethics and hospital management. It highlights the importance of training healthcare professionals to question orders that seem inappropriate, even if they come from a perceived authority figure. The experiment also underscores the need for clear and robust protocols in hospitals to prevent such situations from occurring.

See Also

• Milgram Experiment
• Stanford Prison Experiment
• Medical Ethics
• Hospital Management

References

• Hofling, C. K., Brotzman, E., Dalrymple, S., Graves, N., & Pierce, C. M. (1966). An experimental study in nurse-physician relationships. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease.