Milgram Study: A landmark psychological experiment demonstrating that regular people often comply with authority figures, even against their own morals and at the cost of harming others.
Relevance: The study has been consistently replicated with similar results (61-66% compliance) across different countries and time periods.
Ethical Concerns
Perception of Ethics: Even during its time in the 60s, the study was seen as unethical. Milgram faced professional setbacks possibly due to the negative perception of his experiment.
Participant Reactions
Feelings of Shame: Many participants felt ashamed of their actions after the study.
Just World Phenomenon: Some rationalized their actions by blaming the victim, suggesting he deserved the shocks for not being smarter or more correct.
Responsibility Shedding: Participants felt more comfortable when the experimenter took responsibility, commonly excusing their actions as "just following orders."
Psychological Concepts
Just World Phenomenon: Belief that the universe is fair, and people get what they deserve.
Self-Serving Bias: A belief that one would not commit such acts, though many would under the right conditions.
Fundamental Attribution Error: Attributing others' actions to inherent flaws, while excusing our own similar actions as situational.
Insights and Lessons
Awareness: Be cognizant of the just world phenomenon and stop making assumptions about others’ situations.
Responsibility: Accept personal responsibility for actions rather than blaming others.
Compassion and Skepticism: Show compassion towards both victims and aggressors, recognizing our own potential to act similarly under authority. Be skeptical of the "just following orders" excuse.
Conclusion
Human Susceptibility: The study highlights our vulnerability to authority, urging us to be cautious of our judgments and actions in hierarchical situations.