The Milgram Experiment - Shock Study on Obedience Conclusions

Summary

The Milgram shock study, conducted by psychologist Stanley Milgram, explored the extent to which individuals would obey authority figures, even when ordered to administer potentially lethal electric shocks. Despite ethical concerns, the study revealed that a significant number of participants complied, raising questions about human obedience and moral responsibility. This controversial experiment supports situationism, suggesting that behavior can be heavily influenced by the context in which it occurs, rather than inherent personality traits.

Takeaways

• 🧠 The Milgram shock study was designed to explore why people commit violence against others and their obedience to authority.
• 👨‍🏫 Stanley Milgram, a psychologist at Yale University, conducted the study to understand how ordinary people could participate in atrocities like the Holocaust.
• 👥 The study involved a 'teacher', a 'learner', and an 'experimenter', with the teacher administering electric shocks to the learner for incorrect answers.
• ⚡ The shocks were fake, but participants were unaware, believing they were delivering potentially lethal voltages up to 450 volts.
• 🤔 Ethical concerns were raised as participants were put under stress, with some not learning the truth for months after the study.
• 📊 Milgram found that a surprising 65% of participants administered the highest level of shock, contrary to predictions of only 3%.
• 🔎 The study has been criticized for its methodology, including the selection of all-male participants and potential coercion.
• 🔄 Attempts to replicate the study have been challenging due to its controversial nature, but similar studies have shown comparable results.
• 🌐 The Milgram experiment supports situationism, suggesting that behavior can be influenced more by the situation than by individual personality traits.
• 🤝 The study has sparked ongoing discussions about human nature, obedience to authority, and the ethics of psychological research.
• 📚 The Milgram shock study remains one of the most famous and controversial in psychology, influencing further research and societal understanding of obedience and violence.

Q & A

What was the main purpose of the Milgram shock study?

The main purpose of the Milgram shock study was to explore how people follow orders from authority figures, even if it goes against their personal morals, and to understand why people commit acts of violence against others.

Who was Stanley Milgram and what inspired him to conduct the study?

Stanley Milgram was a psychologist at Yale University. He was born in the 1930s in New York City to Jewish immigrant parents and was deeply affected by the atrocities of the Holocaust. His curiosity about how people could participate in such horrific acts led him to set up the study.

How was the Milgram shock study conducted?

The study involved a participant acting as a 'teacher', a 'learner', and an 'experimenter'. The 'teacher' read words to the 'learner', who had to repeat them back. If the 'learner' made a mistake, the 'teacher' was instructed to administer an electric shock, increasing in voltage with each error.

Were the shocks administered in the Milgram study real?

No, the shocks were not real. The 'learner' was an actor who pretended to receive the shocks, and the shocks themselves were not actually delivered.

What were the voltage levels of the shocks in the Milgram study?

The shocks started at 15 volts, which was described as a mild sensation, and increased up to 450 volts, which is considered extremely dangerous.

What ethical concerns were raised about the Milgram shock study?

Ethical concerns included the psychological trauma that participants might have experienced, believing they had harmed or possibly killed someone. Some participants were not informed about the true nature of the study for months after it ended.

What was the surprising result of the Milgram shock study?

The surprising result was that 65% of participants reached the highest level of shocks, and every participant administered shocks at 300 volts or higher, despite the apparent distress of the 'learner'.

What criticisms have been made of the Milgram study?

Criticisms include the study's selection bias, as all participants were male, and the potential coercion of participants into continuing the study. Some argue that Milgram failed to properly inform participants about the true nature of the study.

How have psychologists attempted to replicate the Milgram study?

Psychologists have attempted to replicate the study with slight modifications to the methods to address the ethical concerns. These replications have generally yielded similar results, indicating a high level of obedience to authority.

What is situationism and how does it relate to the Milgram study?

Situationism is a theory in psychology that suggests that behavior is more influenced by the situation than by inherent personality traits. The Milgram study and the Stanford Prison Experiment are considered supporting evidence for situationism, as they show how different situations can drive people to act in ways that contradict their usual behavior.

What broader implications does the Milgram study have for understanding human behavior?

The Milgram study has implications for understanding how people can be influenced to act against their morals and ethics under the pressure of authority. It suggests that ordinary people can be led to commit acts of violence or injustice, depending on the situation.