Milgram Experiment

Definition

The Milgram Experiment was a psychological study conducted by Stanley Milgram in the early 1960s to measure individuals' willingness to obey authority figures, even when their commands conflicted with personal conscience. This experiment revealed profound insights into human behavior, particularly regarding authority and moral responsibility, and raised significant ethical concerns regarding the treatment of participants in psychological research.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Milgram Experiment involved participants believing they were administering electric shocks to another person as part of a learning study, demonstrating how far individuals would go to obey authority.
2. Approximately 65% of participants were willing to administer the highest shock level, indicating a disturbing tendency to comply with authority figures even when it involved harming others.
3. The experiment was conducted at Yale University, and its findings raised significant ethical questions about participant welfare and the limits of research in psychology.
4. Milgram's study has been replicated in various forms over the years, confirming the original findings about obedience and authority across different cultural contexts.
5. Following the Milgram Experiment, new ethical guidelines were established for psychological research, emphasizing the importance of informed consent and minimizing harm to participants.

Review Questions

• How did the Milgram Experiment demonstrate the impact of authority on individual behavior?
  • The Milgram Experiment illustrated that individuals often prioritize obedience to authority over their moral beliefs. Participants administered what they believed were painful electric shocks to others simply because an authoritative figure instructed them to do so. This highlighted how strong social pressures can lead individuals to act against their ethical convictions, revealing critical insights into human behavior within hierarchical structures.
• Discuss the ethical implications raised by the Milgram Experiment and how they have influenced current research practices in psychology.
  • The Milgram Experiment raised serious ethical concerns regarding the treatment of participants, particularly about informed consent and psychological distress. Participants were deceived about the nature of the experiment and subjected to high levels of stress without proper safeguards. In response, ethical guidelines have been strengthened, requiring researchers to prioritize participant well-being and ensure transparency about potential risks in studies.
• Evaluate the relevance of the Milgram Experiment's findings in today's society and how they relate to issues of authority and compliance.
  • The findings from the Milgram Experiment remain highly relevant today as they provide insight into how people respond to authority figures in various contexts, including workplaces, government, and social situations. Instances of blind obedience can be seen in military settings or during crises when individuals may follow orders that contradict their moral values. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for addressing issues such as ethical decision-making and promoting accountability within organizations.

Related terms

Obedience: The act of following orders or directives from an authority figure, often regardless of personal beliefs or ethical considerations.

Informed Consent: A fundamental ethical requirement in research that ensures participants are fully aware of the nature of the study, its risks, and their rights before agreeing to participate.

Deception in Research: A controversial practice in psychological studies where participants are misled about the true purpose or nature of the study, often to avoid bias in their responses.