Milgram Experiment
Definition
A series of psychological experiments conducted by Stanley Milgram which measured the willingness of participants to obey an authority figure who instructed them to perform acts conflicting with their personal conscience.
Analogy
Imagine being part of a game show where you're told by the host (an authority figure) to do something you think is wrong - like stealing from another contestant. You might feel conflicted because it goes against your morals but also feel pressured because the host is telling you it's okay. That's similar to what participants experienced during the Milgram experiment.
Related terms
Obedience: Compliance with an order, request, or law or submission to another's authority.
Authority Figure: An individual perceived as having power due either position in a hierarchical social structure or personal qualities such as knowledge or charisma.
Conformity: Adjusting one’s behavior or thinking based on group norms.
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