The Obedience Experiment of Stanley Milgram
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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.
Summary
Outline
Origins of Milgram's Obedience Experiment
The origins of Stanley Milgram's obedience experiment can be traced back to the post-World War II period, particularly the trial of Adolf Eichmann, an SS officer who defended his actions by claiming he was simply following orders. Milgram, a psychologist, was driven by the question of whether this defense indicated a common human tendency to obey authority figures, even to the point of committing atrocities. In 1961, he devised an experiment to investigate the limits of obedience to authority and to determine if this was a characteristic unique to the German people or a more universal human behavior.Objectives and Design of Milgram's Experiment
The primary objective of Milgram's experiment was to examine the extent to which individuals would comply with an authority figure's instructions to perform actions that conflicted with their personal conscience. The study involved forty male participants from diverse backgrounds, who were recruited through newspaper ads and believed they were participating in a study on learning and memory at Yale University. They were assigned the role of 'teacher' and were instructed to administer increasingly severe electric shocks to a 'learner' for each incorrect response in a memory task. Unbeknownst to the participants, the shocks were simulated, and the 'learner' was an actor, part of the experimental setup.Conducting the Obedience Experiment
In the experiment, the 'teacher' was situated in a separate room from the 'learner' and was instructed to administer shocks of increasing voltage for each mistake, with the shock levels marked from 15 to 450 volts. The 'teachers' were given a sample shock to reinforce the illusion of the shocks' authenticity. As the 'learner' began to express discomfort and eventually fell silent, the experimenter, dressed in a lab coat to emphasize authority, would prompt the 'teacher' to continue with a series of standardized prods whenever they showed reluctance to administer shocks.Findings and Consequences of Milgram's Research
The results of Milgram's experiment were startling: every participant administered shocks up to 300 volts, and about 65% continued to the maximum voltage of 450 volts, despite the apparent distress of the 'learner.' The participants showed signs of extreme tension, such as sweating, trembling, and nervous laughter, highlighting the powerful influence of the authority figure. Milgram's conclusion was that ordinary people are capable of obeying orders to perform ethically questionable actions, even without any direct coercion, indicating that obedience to authority is a deeply ingrained behavior in humans.Evaluation of the Obedience Experiment
Milgram's experiment was innovative in quantifying obedience and provided a controlled environment that ensured high internal validity and the possibility of replication. However, the study's external validity was questioned, as critics argued that the laboratory setting might not accurately represent real-world situations. The homogeneity of the participant sample, consisting only of males, also raised concerns about the generalizability of the results to a broader population, including women and people from different cultural backgrounds.Ethical Considerations in Milgram's Study
The ethical aspects of Milgram's obedience experiment have been widely debated. The experiment involved deception, as participants were misled about the nature of the study and the shocks being administered. The resulting emotional stress experienced by participants raised ethical concerns, despite the debriefing process that followed the experiment. The study's ethical issues contributed to the development of more stringent ethical guidelines for the conduct of psychological research, emphasizing the importance of informed consent and the right to withdraw without penalty.Milgram's Experiment in Educational Contexts
Milgram's obedience experiment has become a fundamental part of social psychology education, shedding light on the complex nature of authority and obedience. The experiment's findings underscore the tendency of individuals to obey authority figures, even when it conflicts with their moral values. Despite ongoing debates about its methodology and ethics, the experiment has had a profound influence on the field of psychology, prompting critical discussions about ethical research practices and enhancing our understanding of human behavior in the context of authority.
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Origins of the Experiment
Post-World War II Period
Milgram was inspired by the trial of Adolf Eichmann and his defense of following orders
Question of Human Tendency to Obey Authority
Milgram wanted to investigate if people have a tendency to obey authority figures, even if it means committing atrocities
Unique to German People or Universal Behavior
Milgram's experiment aimed to determine if obedience to authority was a characteristic unique to Germans or a universal human behavior
Objective of the Experiment
Examining the Limits of Obedience
Milgram's experiment aimed to see how far individuals would go in obeying authority, even if it conflicted with their personal conscience
Compliance with Authority Figures' Instructions
The study involved participants being instructed to administer electric shocks to a 'learner' for incorrect responses, to see if they would comply
Unique Sample of Participants
The experiment involved forty male participants from diverse backgrounds, recruited through newspaper ads
Experimental Setup
Role of 'Teacher' and 'Learner'
Participants were assigned the role of 'teacher' and were instructed to administer shocks to a 'learner' for incorrect responses
Simulated Shocks and Actor 'Learner'
The shocks were simulated, and the 'learner' was an actor, part of the experimental setup
Influence of Authority Figure
The experimenter, dressed in a lab coat to emphasize authority, prompted participants to continue administering shocks despite the 'learner's' apparent distress
Results and Impact
Startling Results
The experiment showed that ordinary people are capable of obeying orders to perform ethically questionable actions, even without direct coercion
Tension and Signs of Distress
Participants showed signs of extreme tension, such as sweating and trembling, highlighting the powerful influence of authority figures
Influence on Psychology and Ethical Concerns
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
The Obedience Experiment of Stanley Milgram
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00
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.
