Overview
This lecture describes the famous obedience experiment conducted by Stanley Milgram at Yale University in 1962, examining how ordinary people respond to authority figures when asked to harm others.
Experimental Setup
- 40 male subjects aged 20–50, from diverse backgrounds, were recruited via ads and mail.
- Participants randomly assigned roles as "teacher" (always the subject) or "learner" (an actor/confederate).
- Teachers instructed to administer electric shocks of increasing voltage to the learner for each incorrect answer in a word pair memory task.
- Learners were strapped to a chair and (falsely) told they would receive shocks.
- Sample shock given to teachers to convince them of the shock’s reality.
Procedure and Observations
- The shock generator ranged from 15 to 450 volts, labeled with increasing levels of severity.
- Teachers were instructed to increase the voltage after each wrong answer.
- Learners (actors) protested, complained of a heart condition, and eventually stopped responding.
- Many teachers expressed discomfort, questioned safety, or wanted to stop, but experimenters insisted they continue.
- Experimenters used scripted prompts to encourage obedience (e.g., "The experiment requires that you continue").
- Emotional strain, nervous laughter, and resistance were common among subjects.
Results and Findings
- Contrary to predictions, 65% of subjects administered the maximum 450-volt shock when prompted by authority.
- Only a small fraction defied the experimenter's orders before reaching high voltages.
- Physical and psychological proximity to the learner reduced obedience.
- Obedience decreased when the authority figure (experimenter) was less present (e.g., giving orders by phone).
- Institutional prestige (Yale vs. Bridgeport office) had a minor effect on obedience rates.
- Group influence: Defiance increased when others broke off; obedience increased with peer compliance.
Ethical Considerations and Debriefing
- No actual shocks were given; the learner's distress was acted.
- Subjects were thoroughly debriefed and reconciled with the learner after the experiment.
- Subjects received detailed reports and purposes of the experiment later.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Obedience — Following orders from an authority figure, even against personal conscience.
- Authority Figure — A person perceived as having legitimate power or right to command others.
- Confederate — An actor working with the experimenter, pretending to be another subject.
- Debriefing — Explanation of the experiment's true nature to participants after participation.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review assigned readings on ethical issues in psychological research.
- Prepare to discuss factors influencing obedience and resistance in class.