The Milgram Experiment: Obedience to Authority
Sprouts・2 minutes read
Stanley Milgram's 1961 experiment showed how people obeying authority figures could commit evil acts, with participants administering fake electric shocks to victims despite signs of distress, raising ethical concerns and prompting reflection on societal influence.
Insights
- Participants in Stanley Milgram's experiment, including renowned psychologist Philip Zimbardo, showcased a disturbing tendency to obey authority figures, highlighting the potential for ordinary individuals to commit harmful acts under orders.
- The Milgram Experiment underscored the significant impact of situational factors and social pressure on human behavior, emphasizing the critical need for awareness and ethical consideration to prevent individuals from blindly following authority, even when it leads to harmful consequences.
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Recent questions
What was the purpose of Stanley Milgram's experiment?
The purpose of Stanley Milgram's experiment was to understand how ordinary people could commit evil acts by obeying authority figures.
Who were the key participants in the Milgram Experiment?
The key participants in the Milgram Experiment were an authority figure, a volunteer teacher, and a victim student.
What percentage of participants administered at least 300 volts?
100% of participants administered at least 300 volts during the Milgram Experiment.
What percentage of participants went up to the maximum of 450 volts?
65% of participants went up to the maximum of 450 volts during the Milgram Experiment.
What were the ethical concerns raised by the experiment?
The Milgram Experiment raised ethical concerns due to the distress caused to participants, prompting reflection on societal influence and the importance of awareness in preventing blind obedience to authority.
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Summary
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"Milgram Experiment Reveals Obedience to Authority"
- Stanley Milgram conducted an experiment in 1961 to understand how ordinary people could commit evil acts by obeying authority figures.
- The Milgram Experiment involved an authority figure, a volunteer teacher, and a victim student, with the teacher administering electric shocks to the student based on incorrect answers.
- Participants were unaware that the shocks were fake, and despite signs of distress, 100% administered at least 300 volts, with 65% going up to the maximum of 450 volts.
- The experiment raised ethical concerns but was replicated successfully, prompting reflection on societal influence and the importance of awareness in preventing blind obedience to authority.
