Social Approach: Milgram (1963): Obedience

1. What is Obedience?

Obedience is when we follow the instructions of an authority figure, even if we don't want to. Think about it like this: your parents tell you to clean your room, and even though you'd rather be playing video games, you do it because they're the authority.

2. Milgram's Experiment: A Shocking Study

In 1963, Stanley Milgram, a psychologist, wanted to understand why people obey authority even when it goes against their morals. He designed a famous experiment that involved "teachers" and "learners."

• The Setup: The "teachers" were real participants, while the "learners" were actors. The "teachers" were told they were testing the impact of punishment on learning. They were given a shock machine with buttons labeled with increasing voltage (from 15 to 450 volts!).
• The Instructions: The "teachers" were instructed to deliver electric shocks to the "learners" every time they got a question wrong. Of course, the shocks weren't real, but the "teachers" didn't know that! The "learner" would act in pain, moaning and even pretending to be unconscious.
• The Results: Milgram found that an astonishing 65% of "teachers" obeyed the experimenter and delivered the highest voltage shock to the "learner" even though they were visibly distressed by the situation.

3. Why Did People Obey?

Milgram's study revealed some key factors that contribute to obedience:

• The Authority Figure: The experimenter was dressed in a lab coat, giving them an air of authority. This made participants more likely to follow their instructions.
• The Location: The experiment took place at Yale University, a prestigious institution, which added to the authority and legitimacy of the study.
• The Gradual Increase: The experiment started with relatively low-voltage shocks, and the voltage was gradually increased. This made it harder for participants to refuse as they had already gone so far.
• The Diffusion of Responsibility: The "teachers" were just following instructions. They felt less responsible for their actions because they were simply following the orders of the experimenter.

4. Real-World Implications

Milgram's study has important implications for understanding obedience in real-world situations:

• Historical Events: This study helps explain how people could commit atrocities like the Holocaust, where individuals followed orders even when they knew it was wrong.
• Workplace Dynamics: In workplaces, individuals might obey superiors even if they disagree with their instructions. This can lead to unethical behavior in the pursuit of "following orders".
• Social Pressure: We often conform to the expectations of others, even if we don't agree with them, due to social pressure.

5. Ethical Concerns

Milgram's experiment raised significant ethical concerns, as participants were subjected to emotional distress:

• Psychological Harm: The participants experienced extreme anxiety and guilt, knowing they were inflicting pain on another person.
• Deception: Participants were deceived about the true nature of the experiment.
• Lack of Informed Consent: Participants were not fully informed about the potential harm of the experiment before they agreed to participate.

6. Legacy:

Milgram's experiment remains one of the most famous and controversial studies in psychology. It provides valuable insights into the power of authority and highlights the importance of critical thinking and ethical considerations when engaging with authority figures.