The Milgram studies

The Milgram studies - led by psychologist Stanley Milgram - were a series of post-WW2 experiments looking into how we obey those who have authority over us (Eldridge, 2023; Mcleod, 2023). The Milgram studies found that roughly two thirds of us - 65% - will obey an instruction from someone who looks as if they are in charge, if they accept responsibility for what is effectively our own action (Milgram, 1963).

To find this out, Milgram designed - and repeated - a number of experiments. In these studies, there were three men: an authority figure 'experimenter', a volunteer participant 'teacher', and a 'learner'. The 'experimenter' supervised 'teachers' in asking questions and then, when wrong answers were given by the 'learner', instructing 'teachers' to deliver electric shocks to the 'learner'. The aim stated to the 'teachers' was that the study was to find out if electric shocks could encourage learning (Eldridge, 2023; Mcleod, 2023). The volunteers consisted of "40 males, aged between 20 and 50, whose jobs ranged from unskilled to professional, from the New Haven area. They were paid $4.50 for just turning up" (Mcleod, 2023). 

Experiments took place in the Yale Interaction Laboratory (see image accompanying this post; Mcleod, 2023). The 'experimenter' was in a white lab coat, and the 'teacher' were on the other side of a clear window from the 'learner' (who was strapped into an electric chair), with an "electric shock generator and a row of switches marked from 15 volts (Slight Shock) to 375 volts (Danger: Severe Shock) to 450 volts (XXX)" (Mcleod, 2023). Each time the 'learner' gives an incorrect answer to a question, the 'teacher' is instructed by the 'experimenter' to deliver a shock. The shocks increase over time until they are into the danger zone.  

The 'teachers' believed they were actually giving shocks to the 'learners'. However, the 'learners' were in fact actors, and the shocks were faked (Eldridge, 2023; Mcleod, 2023). Today this type of experiment is considered unethical, as the data collection sessions lacked full disclosure, informed consent, involved deception, and lacked means for post-session debriefing to avoid the "trauma experienced by [some] teacher[ participants]" (Eldridge, 2023).

Why did some participants experience trauma? Because 65% had delivered what was a lethal electric shock - 450V - in the experiment (Milgram, 1963). They did not know at the time that the 'learner' was an actor. 100% of participants went to 300V (Mcleod, 2023; Milgram, 1963). 

The video below provides an overview of the Milgram experiment (BigHistoryNL, 2013):

It is strange how easy it can be for us to rationalise our behaviour into what works for us, instead of what is plainly inhumane. And any time we would like to think that we will always behave ethically, we can remember that two thirds of us will bow to the pressure of experts.

Sam

References:

BigHistoryNL (19 Mar 2013). Milgram Experiment - Big History NL, threshold 6 [video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/xOYLCy5PVgM

Eldridge, S. (2023). Milgram Experiment. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/Milgram-experiment

Mcleod, S. (2023, March 8). The Milgram Shock Experiment: Summary, Results, & Ethics. Simply Psychology. https://simplypsychology.org/milgram.html

Milgram, S. (1963). Behavioral Study of Obedience. The Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 67(4), 371–378. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0040525