Milgram Obedience Study

Summary

In the early 1960s, social psychologist Stanley Milgram conducted groundbreaking experiments at Yale University to understand the nature of human obedience to authority. The study involved participants administering electric shocks to a 'learner' upon making mistakes, escalating in voltage with each error. Despite the 'learner's' apparent distress, a significant majority of participants continued to the highest voltage levels due to the experimenter's authority. Milgram's findings revealed the disturbing extent to which individuals can act inhumanely when commanded by an authority figure, shedding light on the psychological mechanisms behind the Holocaust and raising ethical questions about the nature of obedience in society.

Takeaways

• 🕰️ The script discusses a period from the early 60s to the early 70s where social scientists conducted experiments to understand human behavior and its relationship to social conventions and situations.
• 🧐 Stanley Milgram, a prominent social psychologist, was particularly interested in the dangers of group behavior and blind obedience to authority.
• 🔬 Milgram's experiments aimed to explore the extent to which individuals would act inhumanely when commanded by an authority figure, even if it went against their conscience.
• 🌟 His study on obedience was a response to the atrocities committed during World War II, particularly the Holocaust, and sought to understand how ordinary people could participate in such acts.
• 🏫 The experiment took place at Yale University in 1962, involving 40 male subjects who were tasked with administering electric shocks to a 'learner' for incorrect answers.
• 🔋 The 'shock generator' was a key prop in the experiment, with voltage levels increasing with each wrong answer, and labels ranging from 'slight shock' to 'danger severe shock'.
• 🤔 The experiment was rigged, with the 'learner' being an accomplice, and their reactions pre-recorded to correspond with different voltage levels.
• 😣 Many subjects found the experience highly stressful, with some stammering, laughing hysterically, or showing signs of extreme conflict.
• 📉 Milgram's findings revealed that around 65% of participants were willing to administer the maximum voltage when pushed by an authoritative figure.
• 📚 The experiment has had a lasting impact on social psychology and continues to be taught and discussed in classrooms due to its relevance to understanding obedience and authority.
• 🌐 The script suggests that Milgram's findings are still relevant today, indicating a universal tendency for individuals to obey authority figures, which is a constant in social behavior.

Q & A

What was the time period during which the social scientists conducted experiments on human behavior?

The experiments were conducted in a unique period from the early 1960s to the early 1970s.

Who was Stanley Milgram and what was his area of interest?

Stanley Milgram was one of the most influential social psychologists of the time, particularly fascinated with the dangers of group behavior and blind obedience to authority.

What was the main question Milgram sought to answer through his experiments?

Milgram aimed to understand what in human nature allows an individual to act without any restraints, such as feelings of compassion or conscience.

What was the original motive behind Milgram's obedience experiment?

The original motive was to understand how the German people could permit the extermination of the Jews during World War II.

Where was Milgram's experiment conducted and what was the subject demographic?

The experiment was conducted at Yale University in May 1962, with subjects being 40 males between the ages of 20 and 50 residing in the Greater New Haven area.

What was the method used in Milgram's experiment to test obedience?

The method involved a word pair test where subjects had to administer electric shocks to a 'learner' for each incorrect answer, increasing the voltage with each mistake.

How was the 'learner' in Milgram's experiment actually an accomplice, and what was their role?

The 'learner' was an accomplice of the experiment, providing standardized verbal responses on tape for each voltage level, creating the illusion of receiving shocks.

What was the percentage of participants in Milgram's experiment who went to the highest level of shock?

Roughly sixty to sixty-five percent of the participants went all the way to the top of the shock board.

What was the critique of Milgram's experiment regarding the ethical treatment of participants?

Many subjects found the experiment to be a highly stressful and conflicted experience, leading to criticism about the ethics of putting people in such a situation.

How has Milgram's experiment permeated contemporary culture and thought?

Milgram's experiment has remained groundbreaking and relevant, influencing contemporary culture and thought by highlighting the universal readiness to obey authority figures.

What does the script suggest about the likelihood of similar obedience if Milgram's experiment were conducted today?

The script suggests that if Milgram were to conduct his experiment today, he would likely observe similar levels of obedience, indicating that human nature's tendency to obey authority is consistent over time.

Outlines

00:00

🔬 Stanley Milgram's Obedience Experiments

The paragraph delves into the groundbreaking experiments conducted by social psychologist Stanley Milgram during the 1960s and 70s, focusing on human behavior and the influence of social conventions and authority. Milgram was particularly interested in understanding the mechanisms behind group behavior and blind obedience, which he explored through a series of controversial experiments. These experiments, which involved participants administering electric shocks to others under the guise of a learning test, were designed to examine how far individuals would go when told to do so by an authority figure. The results were shocking, revealing a disturbing willingness of participants to obey orders, even when it involved causing pain to others. The paragraph also touches on the ethical debates surrounding the experiments and their relevance to understanding historical atrocities, such as the Holocaust.

05:00

📊 The Dynamics of Obedience and Authority

This paragraph continues the exploration of Milgram's obedience experiments, detailing the methodology and the psychological impact on the participants. It describes how the experiment was set up as a word pair test, with participants administering electric shocks to a 'learner' for each incorrect answer. The shocks were to increase in intensity with each mistake, and participants were urged to continue by the experimenter despite their discomfort. The paragraph highlights the internal conflict experienced by participants, many of whom found the experience highly stressful. It also discusses the ethical concerns raised by the experiment, including the psychological distress caused to subjects and the implications for understanding obedience in society. The paragraph concludes by reflecting on the enduring significance of Milgram's work, suggesting that the fundamental human tendency to obey authority remains a constant across time and culture.

Keywords

💡Social Conventions

Social conventions refer to the norms and customs that are accepted by society and dictate appropriate behavior in various situations. In the video, the experiments conducted by social scientists aim to examine how human behavior is influenced by these conventions and the extent to which individuals comply with societal expectations. The script mentions how individuals might allow certain actions in a specific setting that they would not in other contexts, highlighting the power of social conventions in shaping behavior.

💡Milgram Experiment

The Milgram Experiment, conducted by psychologist Stanley Milgram, is a series of studies that aimed to measure the willingness of participants to obey an authority figure who instructed them to perform acts conflicting with their personal conscience and morals. The video script references this experiment to illustrate the concept of obedience to authority and the potential for individuals to act inhumanely when under orders. The script describes the setup of the experiment and the shocking results, where a significant number of participants were willing to administer what they believed to be dangerous electric shocks to another person.

💡Obedience to Authority

Obedience to authority is the act of complying with the orders or requests of someone in a position of power or authority. The video script discusses this concept extensively, particularly in relation to the Milgram Experiment, where participants were asked to administer electric shocks to another person on the command of an experimenter. The obedience demonstrated in the experiment raises questions about the nature of human behavior and the limits of individual morality when faced with authority figures.

💡Ethical Controversy

Ethical controversy refers to the debate over the moral implications and acceptability of certain actions or studies. The video script mentions that the experiments conducted, including the Milgram Experiment, were controversial due to the psychological stress and potential harm caused to the participants. The script implies that the ethical considerations of such studies are important, as they may cause significant distress and raise questions about the boundaries of scientific research.

💡Blind Obedience

Blind obedience is the act of following orders or instructions without questioning their morality or rationale. The video script uses the term to describe the behavior of participants in the Milgram Experiment who continued to administer shocks despite the apparent pain and distress of the 'learner.' This concept is central to the video's exploration of how individuals might act when they perceive an authority figure's directives as absolute.

💡Group Behavior

Group behavior refers to the actions and interactions of individuals within a group setting. The video script suggests that Stanley Milgram was fascinated by the dangers of group behavior and how it can lead to individuals acting in ways that they would not as individuals. The script implies that group dynamics and the influence of others can significantly impact an individual's actions, potentially leading to conformity and obedience.

💡Human Nature

Human nature encompasses the inherent characteristics and tendencies that define human behavior. The video script discusses the concept of human nature in the context of the Milgram Experiment, questioning what aspects of human nature allow individuals to act inhumanely when under the influence of authority. The script suggests that the experiment reveals darker aspects of human nature, such as the capacity for cruelty and the willingness to harm others when ordered to do so.

💡Conscience

Conscience is an individual's moral sense of right and wrong, which guides behavior and decision-making. The video script refers to conscience in the context of the Milgram Experiment, where participants faced a conflict between their conscience and the authority of the experimenter. The script highlights the struggle participants experienced, as they were torn between their innate sense of morality and the demands of an authority figure.

💡Conflict

Conflict, in the context of the video, refers to the internal struggle experienced by individuals when faced with a decision that opposes their personal beliefs or values. The script describes how participants in the Milgram Experiment experienced significant stress and conflict as they were pushed to act against their conscience by an authority figure. This conflict is central to understanding the psychological impact of the experiment and the tension between individual morality and obedience.

💡Responsibility

Responsibility in the video script is discussed in the context of individuals' willingness to take on or shed responsibility for their actions, particularly when under the influence of authority. The script suggests that one of the prerequisites for carrying out acts that are considered evil is the ability to shift responsibility onto someone else, such as an authority figure. This concept is illustrated in the Milgram Experiment, where participants were more likely to administer shocks when they felt the responsibility was with the experimenter rather than themselves.

💡Contemporary Relevance

Contemporary relevance refers to the ongoing significance of a topic or study in the present day. The video script emphasizes the contemporary relevance of the Milgram Experiment and the insights it provides into human behavior. It suggests that the experiment's findings are not only historically significant but also continue to be relevant in understanding current social dynamics and the influence of authority in today's world.

Highlights

During the 1960s, social scientists conducted experiments to examine human behavior and its relationship to social conventions.

Stanley Milgram explored the dangers of group behavior and blind obedience to authority.

Milgram's experiments aimed to understand how ordinary people could act inhumanely under certain conditions.

In 1962, Milgram's study on obedience challenged the ethical boundaries of psychological research.

The experiment involved subjects administering electric shocks to a 'learner' upon making mistakes.

The 'learner' was actually an actor, and the shocks were not real, highlighting the ethical concerns of the study.

Milgram's findings revealed that a significant percentage of participants would obey authority figures even to the point of causing harm.

The experiment was designed to understand the psychology behind the Holocaust and the actions of the Nazis.

Milgram's work has had a lasting impact on social psychology and continues to be relevant in contemporary discussions.

The experiment raised questions about the ethics of psychological research and the limits of obedience.

Subjects experienced stress and conflict when faced with the authority figure's demands.

The study demonstrated the power of authority and the willingness of individuals to shed personal responsibility.

Milgram's experiment is still taught in classrooms, emphasizing its historical and educational significance.

The experiment's results have permeated contemporary culture, influencing thought and discussion on obedience and authority.

Milgram's work identified a universal aspect of social behavior: the readiness to obey authority figures.

The experiment's design and methodology have been criticized for their ethical implications.

The study's findings suggest that obedience to authority is a consistent trait across different times and cultures.

Transcripts

in a unique period from the early 60s to

the early 70s a group of social

scientists conducted a series of

experiments examining the nature of

human behavior and its relationship to

social conventions and situations

this setting I allow things to be done

to me that I wouldn't allow in any other

context dentists is about to put an

electric drill into my mouth in this

setting I willingly expose my throat to

a man with a razor blade

stanley milgram one of the most

influential social psychologists of the

time was particularly fascinated with

the dangers of group behavior and blind

obedience to Authority what is there in

human nature that allows an individual

to act without any restraints whatsoever

so that he can act in humanely harshly

severely and in no way limited by

feelings of compassion or conscience

these are quite may we might be better

than an experiment requires that you

continue we have an that evolves the

experiments that Milgram and others

conducted were controversial and for

ethical reasons may never be conducted

again yet the results of those

experiments remain groundbreaking

profoundly revealing about the tensions

between the individual and society and

increasingly relevant to contemporary

life

in 1962 Stanley Milgram shocked the

world with his study on obedience to

test his theories he invented he knew

that would become a window into human

cruelty

in ascending order a row of buttons

marked the amount of voltage one person

would inflict upon another no drums

original motive for the experiment was

to understand the unthinkable how the

German people could permit the

extermination of the Jews when I learned

of incidents such as the massacre of

millions of men women and children

perpetrated by the Nazis in World War

two how is it possible I ask myself the

ordinary people

well courteous and decent in everyday

life can act callously

in humanely without any limitations of

conscience now there are some studies in

my discipline social psychology that

seem to provide a clue to this question

[Music]

I wanted to study was a little different

went a little bit further it was the

issue of authority under what conditions

would a person obey Authority who

commanded actions that went against

conscience these are exactly the

questions that I wanted to investigate

at the Yale University it is May 1962 an

experiment is being conducted in the

elegant interaction laboratory at Yale

University the subjects of 40 males

between the ages of 20 and 50 residing

in the Greater New Haven area

psychologists have developed several

theories to explain how people learn one

theory is that people learn things

correctly whenever they get punished for

making a mistake forty years later

Milgram's infamous experiment obedience

is still taught in classrooms around the

world you open those and tell me please

all right now the next thing we'll have

to do is set the learner up so that he

can get some sort of what inspired

Milgram I would say there were a number

of factors one of them is he was very

ambitious he wanted to make a mark in

social psychology and he wanted as he

wrote to one friend he wanted to come up

with the most what the boldest

experiment that he could think of would

you roll up your right sleeve please ass

electrode is connected to the shot

generator in the next room and this

electrode paste is to provide a good

contact to avoid any blister of burn do

you have any questions now before we go

to the next room about two years ago I

was the Veterans Hospital on West Haven

and while there they detected a hard

condition nothing serious but as long as

I'm having sex I'm strong are they how

dangerous are they well no although they

may be painful they're not dangerous and

anything else no that's all alright

teacher would you take the test and you

see it in front of the shock generator

pleasing one but the experiment was

rigged

the victim was an accomplice of the

experiment the victim according to plan

provided many wrong answers his verbal

responses were standardized on tape and

each protest was coordinated to a

particular voltage level on the shock

generator now his teacher you were

seated in front of this impressive

looking instrument the shock generator

it's essential feature is a line of

switches that goes from 15 volts to 450

volts and a set of verbal designations

that goes from slight shock to moderate

shock strong shock very strong shock

intense shock extreme intensity shock

and finally xxx danger severe shock your

job the experimenter explains to you is

a word pair test if he gets each answer

correctly fine you move on to the next

pair but if he makes a mistake we were

instructed to give him an electric shock

starting with 15 volts

and you increase the shock one step on

each era incorrect you'll now get a

shock of 105 hardhead

just how far can you go in this thing as

far as it's necessary

I mean as far as moment was very much

aware that obedience is a necessary

ingredient from society to function but

he focused on the darker side of

obedience and sad face it's absolutely

essential that you continue you got no

other choice did a lot of choices my

number one choice is that I wouldn't go

on if I so didn't think hard

now this man makes disobedience seem a

very rational and simple deed

now other subjects respond quite

differently to the experimenters

Authority some psychologists were

troubled by the ethics of it

many if not most subjects found that a

highly stressful conflicted experience

people are stammering stuttering

laughing hysterically inappropriately

[Music]

clearly you know when we say people went

to the top of the shock board it was

like they were going blithely

sadistically people went stop and go

stop and go they were in a state of

conflict which was created tremendous

amount of stress so that was the main

critique at 3:30 as his voice began to

show increasing frustration so tonight

but I was really in a state of real

conflict

I'm agitation one of seven women's basic

contributions was that you don't ask

people what they would do

given this hypothetical situation you

put them in the situation

please continue to donate Evoque

[Music]

important Milgrim one of the things

that's a prerequisite for carrying out

acts that are evil is to shed

responsibility from your shoulders and

hand it over the person in charge I'm

responsible for anything that happens

here continually nice and slow I didn't

hold any gun to anybody's head just the

fact that he conveyed a sense of

authority roughly sixty sixty-five

percent of the people went all the way

to the top of the shock board now

continue using the last switch on the

board please the four fifty switch for

each wrong answer continually I'm not

gonna know answered all demands help me

in any way whether the learner likes it

or not we might be dead in a bunker made

the point I think very effectively that

the Nazis were all a bunch of

psychopaths at Belsen and Dachau half a

death camp from the little classroom to

Haven who was actually pushing this wish

I was but he kept insisting I told him

no but he said he gotta keep ballin

what kind of obedience would Milgram

guess today if he were to do the

experiment today probably about the same

why and I think people are just

inherently obedient it just really shows

like how far human beings will go to

appease what they perceived to be a

authority figure

Milgram has identified one of the

constants one of the universals of

social behavior the readiness will be

Authority cuts across time it's a

consonant the other outstanding and

distinctive thing about there will be

this experiment is how much it has and

keeps on permeating contemporary culture

and thought it's still with us and very

very important way