Stanley Milgram's obedience experiment, conducted in the 1960s, sought to understand human compliance with authority figures. It revealed that ordinary people could obey orders to inflict pain on others, with 65% of participants delivering the maximum shocks. The study sparked ethical debates and influenced psychological research guidelines.
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Milgram was inspired by the trial of Adolf Eichmann and his defense of following orders
Milgram wanted to investigate if people have a tendency to obey authority figures, even if it means committing atrocities
Milgram's experiment aimed to determine if obedience to authority was a characteristic unique to Germans or a universal human behavior
Milgram's experiment aimed to see how far individuals would go in obeying authority, even if it conflicted with their personal conscience
The study involved participants being instructed to administer electric shocks to a 'learner' for incorrect responses, to see if they would comply
The experiment involved forty male participants from diverse backgrounds, recruited through newspaper ads
Participants were assigned the role of 'teacher' and were instructed to administer shocks to a 'learner' for incorrect responses
The shocks were simulated, and the 'learner' was an actor, part of the experimental setup
The experimenter, dressed in a lab coat to emphasize authority, prompted participants to continue administering shocks despite the 'learner's' apparent distress
The experiment showed that ordinary people are capable of obeying orders to perform ethically questionable actions, even without direct coercion
Participants showed signs of extreme tension, such as sweating and trembling, highlighting the powerful influence of authority figures
Milgram's experiment has had a profound influence on the field of psychology, prompting discussions about ethical research practices and enhancing our understanding of human behavior in the context of authority
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In ______, Milgram began a study to explore if obedience to authority was a ______ human trait.
1961
universal
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Milgram Experiment Participants
40 male volunteers from diverse jobs and educational levels, recruited via newspaper ads.
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Milgram Experiment Roles
Participants assigned 'teacher' role; 'learner' was an actor, part of the setup.
