This is very interesting, if you don't know about this 1960s experiment look it up, but this is what the task is based on...
Basically, the lab rats have to pretend to get shocked and see whether the scientists will actually decide to stop the volts. During the experiment in the 60s, a high % of people went on as they were being urged to despite the person going through much pain (fake pain).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gz2W...feature=relmfu
I'm surprised Benedict didn't clock on that it was this experiment as its a very famous one.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milgram_experiment