Overview
This lecture explores obedience to authority, focusing on Stanley Milgram's experiments and their implications for understanding why ordinary people may commit harmful acts under orders.
Historical Context & Real-World Examples
- Adolf Eichmann claimed in his trial that he was "just following orders" for his crimes during WWII.
- Abu Ghraib prison abuse by US military personnel showed similar obedience, with individuals stating they were instructed to act.
Milgram's Obedience Experiment: Setup & Procedure
- Conducted in the 1960s during Eichmann's trial to investigate obedience to authority.
- 40 male participants (ages 20–50, varied backgrounds) were recruited through a newspaper ad.
- Participants believed the study was about learning and punishment; roles were rigged so real participant was always the "teacher".
- "Learner" was a confederate strapped to a fake electric chair; shocks ranged from 15 to 450 volts.
- Teachers gave real (mild) shocks to believe the setup.
- For every wrong answer, the teacher was instructed to increase the shock voltage.
Experiment Results & Findings
- Yale students predicted only 1.2% would administer the maximum shock.
- All participants obeyed up to 300 volts; 65% continued to 450 volts (maximum).
- Participants often showed signs of severe stress: sweating, trembling, stuttering, etc.
Variations in Obedience Rates
- Proximity:
- Teacher and learner in same room: obedience dropped to 40%.
- Teacher had to press learner's hand onto plate: obedience dropped to 30%.
- Experimenter absent, instructions via phone: obedience dropped to 20.5%.
- Location:
- Yale setting (original): 65% obedience; office building: 48%.
- Uniform:
- Experimenter in lab coat: 65% obedience; ordinary clothes: 20%.
Ethical & Methodological Criticisms
- Harm: Teachers experienced significant stress; possible lasting effects.
- Deception: Participants were misled about the true purpose and reality of the shocks.
- Ecological Validity: Lab setting may not reflect real-life situations.
- Population Validity: Sample was only males who volunteered via newspaper ad—limits generalizability.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Obedience — complying with orders from an authority figure.
- Confederate — an actor secretly working for the experimenter.
- Ecological Validity — the extent to which findings apply to real-world settings.
- Population Validity — how well findings represent the broader population.
- Deception (in research) — misleading participants about the true nature of a study.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review Milgram experiment variations and results.
- Reflect on real-world implications of obedience.
- Prepare any assigned readings or essays on ethical considerations in psychological research.