Question

The results of Milgram's (1963) study imply that: A. in the real world, most people will refuse to follow orders to inflict harm on a stranger. B. many people will obey an authority figure even it innocent people get hurt. C. most people are willing to give obviously wrong answers when ordered to do so. D. most people stick to their own judgment, even when group members unanimously disagree.

Short answer

Answer: The study found that many people will obey an authority figure even if innocent people get hurt.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Milgram's study

Milgram's study aimed to explore the willingness of participants to obey an authority figure, who instructed them to perform acts that conflicted with their personal conscience and had negative consequences for others. In this experiment, the learner was supposedly being shocked each time they gave an incorrect answer to a question, with the participant administering the shocks.

Evaluating the options

Now let's evaluate each option and link it to the findings of Milgram's study: A. "In the real world, most people will refuse to follow orders to inflict harm on a stranger." This option contradicts the main findings of Milgram's study, as most participants administered shocks to the learner, even when they believed the learner was in extreme pain. B. "Many people will obey an authority figure even if innocent people get hurt." This option is consistent with Milgram's findings. The participants obeyed the authority figure (the experimenter) and administered shocks to the learner, despite their discomfort and the harm they believed they were causing. C. "Most people are willing to give obviously wrong answers when ordered to do so." This option is not related to Milgram's study, as it deals with the willingness to give wrong answers rather than the willingness to obey the authority. D. "Most people stick to their own judgment, even when group members unanimously disagree." This option is more related to conformity rather than obedience to authority, which was the main focus of Milgram's study.

Choosing the correct answer

Based on the evaluation of the options and the main findings of Milgram's study, we can conclude that the correct answer is: B. Many people will obey an authority figure even if innocent people get hurt. This is consistent with the results of Milgram's study, which highlighted the power of authority and its potential consequences on the actions of individuals, even when harming others.

Key concepts

Authority Figure

An authority figure is someone who holds power or influence over others. They can make commands or requests that individuals often feel obligated to obey. This authority often stems from various sources, such as job positions, societal roles, or perceived expertise.

In many cases, people are willing to follow the orders of an authority figure because:

• They believe the authority figure has more knowledge or experience.
• They feel pressured to comply and avoid negative consequences.
• There is a societal expectation to respect and follow those in positions of power.

Understanding how authority figures influence behavior is a crucial aspect of social psychology, as it helps explain instances where individuals act against their own moral beliefs.

Milgram's Study

Milgram's study is a famous experiment conducted in 1963 by psychologist Stanley Milgram. It explored how far individuals would go in obeying an instruction, even if it involved harming another person.

In the experiment:

• Participants were instructed to administer electric shocks to a "learner" every time they answered a question incorrectly.
• The "learner" was actually an actor and not receiving real shocks. However, the participants believed the shocks were genuine.
• An authority figure, the experimenter, encouraged participants to continue increasing the shock level.

The results revealed that a significant majority of participants were willing to administer potentially dangerous shocks when instructed by an authority figure, showcasing the powerful influence of authority on human behavior.

Social Psychology

Social psychology is the scientific study of how individuals think, feel, and behave in social contexts. It examines the influence of social factors on human actions, including the power of authority, roles, and group dynamics.

Social psychology helps us understand why people may act against their personal beliefs or engage in behavior they normally wouldn't consider. For example, in Milgram's study, participants obeyed authority even when it conflicted with their moral views on harming others.

Key areas of interest in social psychology include:

• Conformity – how individuals align their actions with group norms.
• Obedience – how individuals follow orders from someone in a position of authority.
• Influence and persuasion – how attitudes and actions are shaped by others.

Through experiments like Milgram's, social psychologists explore these concepts, offering insights into the complexities of human behavior within societal frameworks.