The Life and Legacy of Stanley Milgram

Stanley Milgram, a pioneering social psychologist, conducted one of the most infamous and controversial experiments in the history of the field. His "obedience experiment" explored the extent to which people are willing to obey authority figures, even when Free Downloaded to harm others.

Early Life and Influences

The Man Who Shocked The World: The Life and Legacy of Stanley Milgram

by Thomas Blass

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Language	:	English
File size	:	2657 KB
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Screen Reader	:	Supported
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Print length	:	403 pages

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Stanley Milgram was born on August 15, 1933, in New York City. His parents were Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe who instilled in him a strong work ethic and a desire to make a difference in the world.

Milgram's interest in psychology was sparked during his undergraduate years at Queens College. He was particularly fascinated by the work of Solomon Asch, a social psychologist who studied the effects of group pressure on individual behavior.

The Obedience Experiment

In 1961, Milgram devised his groundbreaking "obdedience experiment." The purpose of the experiment was to investigate the factors that lead people to obey authority figures, even when Free Downloaded to do something that conflicted with their own moral values.

The experiment involved three participants: a "teacher" (a participant who was given instructions to administer electric shocks to a "learner"),a "learner" (a confederate who pretended to be receiving the shocks),and an "experimenter" (a researcher who gave instructions to the teacher).

The experiment was conducted in a laboratory setting, with the participants separated into different rooms. The experimenter instructed the teacher to administer increasingly severe electric shocks to the learner each time the learner made a mistake. Although the shocks were not actually painful, they were made to sound realistic.

To Milgram's surprise, the majority of participants (65%) were willing to deliver the maximum shock level, even though they expressed extreme discomfort and anxiety throughout the experiment.

Controversy and Impact

Milgram's obedience experiment generated widespread controversy and debate. Critics argued that the experiment was unethical because it caused psychological harm to the participants. However, Milgram defended the experiment, arguing that it provided valuable insights into the nature of human behavior.

The obedience experiment has had a profound impact on social psychology. It has raised important questions about the relationship between authority and obedience, and the role of social influence in shaping our behavior.

Later Work and Legacy

Following the obedience experiment, Milgram conducted a wide range of other research projects, including studies on obedience to authority, the impact of social roles on behavior, and the psychology of prejudice.

Milgram died tragically in 1984 at the age of 51 from a heart attack. However, his legacy continues to live on through his groundbreaking research and the profound impact it has had on the field of social psychology.

Stanley Milgram was a visionary social psychologist whose work has left an indelible mark on the field. His obedience experiment remains one of the most controversial and influential studies in the history of psychology, providing valuable insights into the nature of human obedience and the power of social influence.

Through his research and writing, Milgram challenged our assumptions about human behavior and pushed the boundaries of social psychology. His legacy continues to inspire researchers and practitioners to explore the complex and often paradoxical nature of human nature.

The Man Who Shocked The World: The Life and Legacy of Stanley Milgram

by Thomas Blass

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2657 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	403 pages

FREE