In the early 1960s, a scientist named Stanley Milgram did an important study about how people behave when told what to do, especially by authority figures. This study showed some surprising things about how we view authority and the pressure to fit in.
Earlier, Solomon Asch did experiments that showed people often go along with group opinions, even if they don't agree. Milgram's work explored what happens when people are told by someone in charge to do something that might not feel right.
Listening to Authority: In Milgram's experiment, people thought they were helping with a study on learning. They were asked to give electric shocks to a "learner"—who was actually an actor—whenever that person got an answer wrong. Shockingly, 65% of the participants kept giving shocks all the way up to the highest level of 450 volts, even when the learner cried out in pain. This showed that many people will listen to authority figures even when it goes against what they believe is right.
How the Situation Matters: Milgram found that the surroundings affect how likely people are to obey. For example, when the experiment was moved from a well-known university to a less formal setting, fewer people followed orders. This suggests that it's not just about who is giving the orders; the place can make a difference too.
Helping vs. Obeying: Participants in the study often felt torn between wanting to help the learner and feeling they had to obey the experimenter. This situation showed how powerful authority figures can push people to act in ways they normally wouldn't.
What It Means for Us: Milgram's results are important for understanding how people behave in society today. They challenge the idea that only "bad" people do wrong things. Instead, regular people can also act unethically when they feel pressured by someone in charge.
To sum it up, Milgram’s study opened our eyes to how strong the urge to follow authority can be. It shows how this desire can sometimes outweigh our own morals and beliefs, giving us important lessons about human behavior that still matter today.
In the early 1960s, a scientist named Stanley Milgram did an important study about how people behave when told what to do, especially by authority figures. This study showed some surprising things about how we view authority and the pressure to fit in.
Earlier, Solomon Asch did experiments that showed people often go along with group opinions, even if they don't agree. Milgram's work explored what happens when people are told by someone in charge to do something that might not feel right.
Listening to Authority: In Milgram's experiment, people thought they were helping with a study on learning. They were asked to give electric shocks to a "learner"—who was actually an actor—whenever that person got an answer wrong. Shockingly, 65% of the participants kept giving shocks all the way up to the highest level of 450 volts, even when the learner cried out in pain. This showed that many people will listen to authority figures even when it goes against what they believe is right.
How the Situation Matters: Milgram found that the surroundings affect how likely people are to obey. For example, when the experiment was moved from a well-known university to a less formal setting, fewer people followed orders. This suggests that it's not just about who is giving the orders; the place can make a difference too.
Helping vs. Obeying: Participants in the study often felt torn between wanting to help the learner and feeling they had to obey the experimenter. This situation showed how powerful authority figures can push people to act in ways they normally wouldn't.
What It Means for Us: Milgram's results are important for understanding how people behave in society today. They challenge the idea that only "bad" people do wrong things. Instead, regular people can also act unethically when they feel pressured by someone in charge.
To sum it up, Milgram’s study opened our eyes to how strong the urge to follow authority can be. It shows how this desire can sometimes outweigh our own morals and beliefs, giving us important lessons about human behavior that still matter today.