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

The Obedience Experiment of Stanley Milgram

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

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In ______, Milgram began a study to explore if obedience to authority was a ______ human trait.

1961

universal

Milgram Experiment Participants

40 male volunteers from diverse jobs and educational levels, recruited via newspaper ads.

Milgram Experiment Roles

Participants assigned 'teacher' role; 'learner' was an actor, part of the setup.

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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.

Laboratory with vintage electric shock generator for Milgram experiment, hand over gradient switches, chair with straps in blurred background.

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.

The Obedience Experiment of Stanley Milgram

Concept Map

Summary

Outline

The Obedience Experiment of Stanley Milgram

Origins of the Experiment

Post-World War II Period

Question of Human Tendency to Obey Authority

Unique to German People or Universal Behavior

Objective of the Experiment

Examining the Limits of Obedience

Compliance with Authority Figures' Instructions

Unique Sample of Participants

Experimental Setup

Role of 'Teacher' and 'Learner'

Simulated Shocks and Actor 'Learner'

Influence of Authority Figure

Results and Impact

Startling Results

Tension and Signs of Distress

Influence on Psychology and Ethical Concerns

Learn with Algor Education flashcards

Click on each Card to learn more about the topic

Q&A

Here's a list of frequently asked questions on this topic

What historical event influenced Stanley Milgram to conduct his obedience experiment?

What was the main goal of Milgram's obedience experiment, and how was it structured?

How was the obedience experiment conducted, and what role did the experimenter play?

What were the key results of Milgram's obedience study?

What criticisms were made about the validity and sample of Milgram's experiment?

What ethical issues arose from Milgram's obedience experiment?

Why is Milgram's obedience experiment significant in educational contexts?

Similar Contents

Explore other maps on similar topics

Origins of Milgram's Obedience Experiment

Objectives and Design of Milgram's Experiment

Conducting the Obedience Experiment

Findings and Consequences of Milgram's Research

Evaluation of the Obedience Experiment

Ethical Considerations in Milgram's Study

Milgram's Experiment in Educational Contexts