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Milgram, Stanley
Stanley Milgram was a renowned psychologist known for conducting one of the most famous experiments on obedience and authority. This experiment, conducted in 1961, tested participants' willingness to obey instructions from an authority figure and was a significant contribution to the field of social psychology.
The Milgram experiment took place in the basement of Linsly-Chittenden Hall at Yale University and involved three main participants: the 'experimenter', the 'teacher', and the 'learner'. The learners were confederates of the experimenter and were not actually shocked, while the teachers were genuine participants who believed they were shocks were real.
The procedure of the experiment varied the level of shocks according to the level of incorrect answers made by the learners. While some participants stopped administering shocks after the first 150-Volt level, most continued through to the maximum 450-Volt level, showcasing their obedience to the authority figure.
The results of the experiment were somewhat unexpectedly high obedience rates, with the majority of teachers obeying the full 450-Volt level. Milgram concluded that ordinary people could act as agents for the enforcement of harmful policies without an understanding of the moral implications.
Critics of the experiment argue that it was unethical due to deception, lack of informed consent, and the psychological harm suffered by the participants. While Milgram claimed that the study caused no serious harm despite the psychological distress experienced by many participants, some argue that the experiment was unethical.
Despite the controversy surrounding his findings, the Milgram experiment has been replicated in various settings, with similar results. Milgram's legacy continues to influence debates about the nature of obedience in humans and the role of authority in shaping behavior.
In conclusion, the Milgram experiment remains a pivotal study in psychology that raises ethical questions about the conduct of research involving human participants. The findings have implications for understanding obedience levels and the role of authority figures in shaping behaviors, even if the precise methodology of the original experiment cannot be replicated.
