Milgram experiment
The Milgram experiment, conducted by psychologist Stanley Milgram in the 1960s, investigated obedience to authority. Participants were instructed to deliver electric shocks to a “learner” (who was actually an actor) for incorrect answers. Despite hearing simulated pain, many participants continued to obey the commands of an authority figure. The experiment revealed that ordinary people could commit harmful acts when ordered by someone perceived as an authority, highlighting the complexities of human behavior in social contexts and raising ethical questions about psychological research. It underscored the tension between personal conscience and obedience to authority.
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The Milgram Experiment was a psychological study conducted in the 1960s by Stanley Milgram to understand obedience to authority. Participants were instructed to deliver increasingly painful electric shocks to a "learner" (actually an actor) whenever they answered questions incorrectly. Despite hearing simulated screams of pain, many participants continued delivering shocks, even when they felt uncomfortable, simply because an authority figure urged them to do so. The experiment highlighted how ordinary people might follow orders that conflict with their personal morals, raising important questions about ethical behavior and responsibility in the face of authority.