# Milgram Experiment

The Milgram experiment was a series of [social psychology](https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=0341e61adf0435df\&rlz=1C5CHFA_enSG951SG953\&sxsrf=AE3TifNON84jkSC_zxxVsluzx49LdMzWPA%3A1756733677563\&q=social+psychology\&sa=X\&sqi=2\&ved=2ahUKEwj2tcP21rePAxXaWHADHTgsF4kQxccNegQIMRAB\&mstk=AUtExfCgdm75FdYP7naAOJdwxbuSIqwq1RhjaFMtRxw2rwIlszAK7PesqB7Ya2C3GK_LhizbuIyBI5jPuxEEp6ZzL43w6EwvPADqx5C-uaDfpn0wGF0d65nf6tc1FhzOYYkOHnGgyPpZruCCVsYvoVg5NM91i7glr__DforG7V_eMTCuJNXQwZAvyXQu3-RZjQpOKs-h0EAD2Q_hH1tL01aVV2Jp3mOPWPj9sgY_2yfbJhrPxXbTYLmeaMlL3rg8_g9A7w3gDpHbqCWVP1Vh3aqNiCoH\&csui=3) studies conducted by [Stanley Milgram](https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=0341e61adf0435df\&rlz=1C5CHFA_enSG951SG953\&sxsrf=AE3TifNON84jkSC_zxxVsluzx49LdMzWPA%3A1756733677563\&q=Stanley+Milgram\&sa=X\&sqi=2\&ved=2ahUKEwj2tcP21rePAxXaWHADHTgsF4kQxccNegQIMRAC\&mstk=AUtExfCgdm75FdYP7naAOJdwxbuSIqwq1RhjaFMtRxw2rwIlszAK7PesqB7Ya2C3GK_LhizbuIyBI5jPuxEEp6ZzL43w6EwvPADqx5C-uaDfpn0wGF0d65nf6tc1FhzOYYkOHnGgyPpZruCCVsYvoVg5NM91i7glr__DforG7V_eMTCuJNXQwZAvyXQu3-RZjQpOKs-h0EAD2Q_hH1tL01aVV2Jp3mOPWPj9sgY_2yfbJhrPxXbTYLmeaMlL3rg8_g9A7w3gDpHbqCWVP1Vh3aqNiCoH\&csui=3) from 1961 to 1962, demonstrating the [extreme willingness of people to obey an authority figure](https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=0341e61adf0435df\&rlz=1C5CHFA_enSG951SG953\&sxsrf=AE3TifNON84jkSC_zxxVsluzx49LdMzWPA%3A1756733677563\&q=extreme+willingness+of+people+to+obey+an+authority+figure\&sa=X\&sqi=2\&ved=2ahUKEwj2tcP21rePAxXaWHADHTgsF4kQxccNegQIMRAD\&mstk=AUtExfCgdm75FdYP7naAOJdwxbuSIqwq1RhjaFMtRxw2rwIlszAK7PesqB7Ya2C3GK_LhizbuIyBI5jPuxEEp6ZzL43w6EwvPADqx5C-uaDfpn0wGF0d65nf6tc1FhzOYYkOHnGgyPpZruCCVsYvoVg5NM91i7glr__DforG7V_eMTCuJNXQwZAvyXQu3-RZjQpOKs-h0EAD2Q_hH1tL01aVV2Jp3mOPWPj9sgY_2yfbJhrPxXbTYLmeaMlL3rg8_g9A7w3gDpHbqCWVP1Vh3aqNiCoH\&csui=3), even if it conflicted with their personal conscience. In the experiment, participants (teachers) were instructed to deliver what they believed were increasingly severe electric shocks to a [learner](https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=0341e61adf0435df\&rlz=1C5CHFA_enSG951SG953\&sxsrf=AE3TifNON84jkSC_zxxVsluzx49LdMzWPA%3A1756733677563\&q=learner\&sa=X\&sqi=2\&ved=2ahUKEwj2tcP21rePAxXaWHADHTgsF4kQxccNegQIMhAB\&mstk=AUtExfCgdm75FdYP7naAOJdwxbuSIqwq1RhjaFMtRxw2rwIlszAK7PesqB7Ya2C3GK_LhizbuIyBI5jPuxEEp6ZzL43w6EwvPADqx5C-uaDfpn0wGF0d65nf6tc1FhzOYYkOHnGgyPpZruCCVsYvoVg5NM91i7glr__DforG7V_eMTCuJNXQwZAvyXQu3-RZjQpOKs-h0EAD2Q_hH1tL01aVV2Jp3mOPWPj9sgY_2yfbJhrPxXbTYLmeaMlL3rg8_g9A7w3gDpHbqCWVP1Vh3aqNiCoH\&csui=3) for incorrect answers, despite the learner's pre-recorded cries of pain and protest. The controversial studies revealed that a high percentage of participants would continue administering shocks up to the maximum level, even while showing signs of extreme stress, highlighting the powerful influence of authority. What was the experiment?

1. 1\. **Participants and Setup**:Participants were recruited for a study on learning and memory and were led to believe they were assigned the role of a "teacher," while the "learner" was a confederate working with the experimenter.&#x20;
2. 2\. **The Task**:The teacher was tasked with teaching word pairs to the learner, administering an electric shock for each incorrect answer.&#x20;
3. 3\. **The Shock Box**:A shock box with switches labeled from 15 to 450 volts was used, with labels progressing from "slight shock" to "danger: severe shock".&#x20;
4. 4\. **The Experimenter's Role**:When the "teacher" hesitated to administer a shock or the "learner" protested, an experimenter in a grey coat would instruct them to continue using a series of verbal prompts.&#x20;
5. 5\. **The Outcome**:Despite the learner's audible pain and demands to stop, a significant majority of participants complied with the experimenter's commands, continuing to deliver shocks up to the highest level.&#x20;

Key Findings & Implications

* **Willingness to Obey**:The experiment showed that many ordinary people are willing to obey authority figures, even when it means causing harm to another person.&#x20;
* [**Deindividuation**](https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=0341e61adf0435df\&rlz=1C5CHFA_enSG951SG953\&sxsrf=AE3TifNON84jkSC_zxxVsluzx49LdMzWPA%3A1756733677563\&q=Deindividuation\&sa=X\&sqi=2\&ved=2ahUKEwj2tcP21rePAxXaWHADHTgsF4kQxccNegUInAEQAQ\&mstk=AUtExfCgdm75FdYP7naAOJdwxbuSIqwq1RhjaFMtRxw2rwIlszAK7PesqB7Ya2C3GK_LhizbuIyBI5jPuxEEp6ZzL43w6EwvPADqx5C-uaDfpn0wGF0d65nf6tc1FhzOYYkOHnGgyPpZruCCVsYvoVg5NM91i7glr__DforG7V_eMTCuJNXQwZAvyXQu3-RZjQpOKs-h0EAD2Q_hH1tL01aVV2Jp3mOPWPj9sgY_2yfbJhrPxXbTYLmeaMlL3rg8_g9A7w3gDpHbqCWVP1Vh3aqNiCoH\&csui=3) **and** [**Agentic State**](https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=0341e61adf0435df\&rlz=1C5CHFA_enSG951SG953\&sxsrf=AE3TifNON84jkSC_zxxVsluzx49LdMzWPA%3A1756733677563\&q=Agentic+State\&sa=X\&sqi=2\&ved=2ahUKEwj2tcP21rePAxXaWHADHTgsF4kQxccNegUInAEQAg\&mstk=AUtExfCgdm75FdYP7naAOJdwxbuSIqwq1RhjaFMtRxw2rwIlszAK7PesqB7Ya2C3GK_LhizbuIyBI5jPuxEEp6ZzL43w6EwvPADqx5C-uaDfpn0wGF0d65nf6tc1FhzOYYkOHnGgyPpZruCCVsYvoVg5NM91i7glr__DforG7V_eMTCuJNXQwZAvyXQu3-RZjQpOKs-h0EAD2Q_hH1tL01aVV2Jp3mOPWPj9sgY_2yfbJhrPxXbTYLmeaMlL3rg8_g9A7w3gDpHbqCWVP1Vh3aqNiCoH\&csui=3):Participants acted as "agents" of the authority figure, shedding personal responsibility for their actions.&#x20;
* **Ethical Concerns**:The study raised significant ethical issues due to the use of deception, the psychological stress inflicted on participants (manifesting as sweating, trembling, and nervous laughter), and potential long-term trauma.&#x20;
* **Relevance to Atrocities**:The experiments have been cited to explain how people can participate in destructive acts under orders, with applications to historical events such as the [Holocaust](https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=0341e61adf0435df\&rlz=1C5CHFA_enSG951SG953\&sxsrf=AE3TifNON84jkSC_zxxVsluzx49LdMzWPA%3A1756733677563\&q=Holocaust\&sa=X\&sqi=2\&ved=2ahUKEwj2tcP21rePAxXaWHADHTgsF4kQxccNegUIlAEQAQ\&mstk=AUtExfCgdm75FdYP7naAOJdwxbuSIqwq1RhjaFMtRxw2rwIlszAK7PesqB7Ya2C3GK_LhizbuIyBI5jPuxEEp6ZzL43w6EwvPADqx5C-uaDfpn0wGF0d65nf6tc1FhzOYYkOHnGgyPpZruCCVsYvoVg5NM91i7glr__DforG7V_eMTCuJNXQwZAvyXQu3-RZjQpOKs-h0EAD2Q_hH1tL01aVV2Jp3mOPWPj9sgY_2yfbJhrPxXbTYLmeaMlL3rg8_g9A7w3gDpHbqCWVP1Vh3aqNiCoH\&csui=3) and the [Abu Ghraib prison abuses](https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=0341e61adf0435df\&rlz=1C5CHFA_enSG951SG953\&sxsrf=AE3TifNON84jkSC_zxxVsluzx49LdMzWPA%3A1756733677563\&q=Abu+Ghraib+prison+abuses\&sa=X\&sqi=2\&ved=2ahUKEwj2tcP21rePAxXaWHADHTgsF4kQxccNegUIlAEQAg\&mstk=AUtExfCgdm75FdYP7naAOJdwxbuSIqwq1RhjaFMtRxw2rwIlszAK7PesqB7Ya2C3GK_LhizbuIyBI5jPuxEEp6ZzL43w6EwvPADqx5C-uaDfpn0wGF0d65nf6tc1FhzOYYkOHnGgyPpZruCCVsYvoVg5NM91i7glr__DforG7V_eMTCuJNXQwZAvyXQu3-RZjQpOKs-h0EAD2Q_hH1tL01aVV2Jp3mOPWPj9sgY_2yfbJhrPxXbTYLmeaMlL3rg8_g9A7w3gDpHbqCWVP1Vh3aqNiCoH\&csui=3).&#x20;

Variations of the ExperimentMilgram conducted numerous variations of the experiment, systematically changing factors like the proximity of the "teacher" to the "learner" and the presence of other authority figures. These variations revealed that factors such as physical proximity, the relationship between the teacher and learner, and the visibility of the authority figure could influence obedience rates, though the core tendency to obey authority often remained high.&#x20;
