Question

Explain in detail Milgram’s study on obedience.

Answer 1

Milgram’s study on obedience tested how far people would go in obeying an authority figure, even if it meant harming another person. In the experiment, participants were told to give electric shocks to a “learner” (actually an actor) for wrong answers. The shocks weren’t real, but the participants believed they were. Despite hearing the learner’s screams, 65% of participants continued to the highest shock level (450 volts), simply because an authority figure told them to.

The study showed that people often obey authority even against their morals. It raised ethical concerns due to the stress and deception involved but remains a key experiment in understanding obedience and human behavior.