How far will you go to obey an order? The Milgram experiment and its shocking results
In the 1960s, psychologist Stanley Milgram conducted an experiment that shocked the world and profoundly changed our understanding of obedience and authority. The Milgram experiment showed in a shocking way how far people are willing to go to obey orders, even if these orders contradict their moral convictions.
Background to the Milgram experiment
Stanley Milgram wanted to answer the question that preoccupied many after the Second World War: How was it possible that so many people took part in the atrocities of the Holocaust? Were the perpetrators simply “evil”, or did obedience to authority play a greater role? Milgram hypothesized that social pressure and authority could significantly contribute to people acting against their own moral convictions.
The experiment: Design and implementation
- Participants and role allocation: Volunteers recruited through a newspaper advertisement took part in the experiment, which was disguised as a study on memory and learning. The participants were always assigned to the role of “teacher”, while a person in the know played the role of “student”.
- The shock generator: The “teacher” had to administer electric shocks to the “student” if they gave an incorrect answer to questions. The intensity of the shocks was marked on a shock generator from 15 volts to 450 volts, with the highest levels marked as dangerous.
- Reactions of the “student”: The “student” (an actor) deliberately gave false answers and simulated a reaction to each supposed shock, ranging from slight discomfort to loud screams and requests to stop the experiment. At the highest shock levels, the “student” fell silent, indicating that he was unconscious or worse.
- Pressure of authority: An experimenter in a white lab coat asked the “teacher” to continue administering the shocks regardless of the “student’s” reactions. The experimenter used standardized instructions such as “Please continue”, “The experiment requires that you continue”, “It is absolutely important that you continue” and “You have no choice, you must continue”.
Results and findings
The results were startling:
- High willingness to obey: about 65% of participants went to the highest voltage of 450 volts, even though they obviously saw and heard the “student” suffering.
- Stress and insecurity: Many participants showed signs of stress, insecurity and reluctance, but continued the experiment when prompted by the authority figure.
- Questioning their own actions: Some participants expressed doubt and discomfort, but still followed the instructions of the experimenter.
Conclusions
The Milgram experiment impressively showed that people under the influence of an authoritarian figure are prepared to carry out actions that contradict their own moral values. Milgram concluded that obedience to authority is deeply rooted in our psyche and that normal people are capable of extreme actions when they feel subject to a higher authority.
Ethical considerations
The experiment was met with considerable ethical criticism:
- Psychological discomfort: Participants experienced significant stress and psychological discomfort during the experiment.
- Deception: The deception about the true purpose of the experiment and the misconception of the shock administration were seen as ethically problematic.
Significance and influence
Despite the ethical controversies, the Milgram experiment has contributed significantly to the understanding of human obedience and the dynamics of authoritarian structures. It remains central to discussions of ethics in psychological research and continues to be used as an object lesson in the power of obedience.
The Milgram experiment is an impressive example of how far people are willing to go to obey orders. It highlights the potential dangers of authority structures and encourages critical reflection on our own behavior and the influences we are exposed to in our daily lives. The findings from this experiment are of great importance not only for psychology, but also for our understanding of social behavior and ethical action.