In a study modeled on Milgram, participants are told by an experimenter in a lab coat to deliver increasing levels of (simulated) noise blasts to a "learner" each time the learner errs. Despite hearing protests, 63% of participants continue to the highest level. When the experimenter gives instructions by phone instead of in person, compliance falls to 21%.
Milgram's classic findings are best summarized as showing that:
- Acheck_circle
Ordinary people will often follow authority orders even when they conflict with personal conscience
- B
Most people refuse to harm strangers under any circumstances
- C
Conformity to peers is stronger than obedience to authority
- D
Obedience requires explicit threats of punishment
Explanation
Milgram demonstrated that situational pressure from a legitimate authority can lead a majority of ordinary participants to violate their own moral standards, even without coercive threats.