Milgram Experiment: Overview, History, and Controversy

The Milgram experiment was a groundbreaking and controversial study that explored the effects of authority on obedience.

Milgram Experiment: History and Background

• The trial of World War II criminal Adolf Eichmann sparked Stanley Milgram's interest in understanding the role of authority and obedience in human behavior.
• Eichmann defended his actions by claiming that he was merely following orders, prompting Milgram to question the validity of this defense.

Milgram Experiment: Procedure

• The study involved 40 male participants who were paid $4.50 for their participation.
• Participants were told they were taking part in a learning experiment and were assigned the role of "teachers" who would deliver electric shocks to a "student" in a neighboring room.
• The shock generator had shock levels ranging from 15 to 450 volts, with ominous labels like "danger: severe shock" and "XXX."
• As the experiment progressed, the learner would plead to be released or complain about a heart condition.
• The experimenter instructed participants to treat the learner's silence as an incorrect response and deliver further shocks.

Milgram Experiment: Results

• 65% of participants delivered the maximum shocks.
• Many participants experienced agitation, distress, and anger but continued following orders.

Factors Influencing Obedience

• According to Milgram, situational factors contributed to high levels of obedience:
  • Physical presence of an authority figure
  • Trust in Yale as a respected institution
  • Random selection of teacher and learner status
  • Assumption of the experimenter's competence and expertise
  • Shocks described as painful, not dangerous
• Later experiments showed that the presence of rebellious peers dramatically reduced obedience levels.

Ethical Concerns

• Milgram's experiments have been criticized for their dubious ethics, including deception, lack of protection for participants, and pressure to continue even after asking to stop.
• Many participants were never truly debriefed or left in distress.

Replications and Recent Criticisms

• Replications have been conducted, but they may not be directly comparable to Milgram's original study.
• Recent findings have challenged the validity of Milgram's results:
  • Coercion and pressure tactics by experimenters
  • Many participants guessed the learner was faking
  • Milgram's report of 84% of participants being glad to have participated may be inaccurate
  • Variations of the experiment had differing results

Impact and Legacy

• Milgram's experiment has had a lasting impact:
  • Inspired further research on obedience and situational factors
  • Raised awareness of the dangers of blind obedience to authority
  • Became a parable or cautionary tale highlighting the power of situational forces and the importance of questioning authority

Conclusion

The Milgram experiment has been influential but also controversial. While it has contributed to our understanding of obedience to authority, its ethical issues and the challenges in replicating it have raised questions about its validity. Nonetheless, the study has stimulated ongoing research and discussions about obedience, authority, and the complexities of human behavior in social contexts.