Milgram (1963)
Background
Stanley Milgram’s study, conducted in the early 1960s, aimed to understand obedience to authority, particularly in the context of WWII atrocities like the Holocaust. Milgram was influenced by Adolf Eichmann's trial, where Eichmann claimed to be following orders, raising questions about moral responsibility. Milgram aimed to determine whether ordinary Americans would harm others under authority's influence and the conditions that would lead to such obedience. The study isolated authority's effects, excluding peer pressure or group influence, and sought to explore the conflict between obedience and personal conscience. Milgram's findings significantly impacted social psychology, particularly concerning authority, conformity, and ethical decision-making.