Milgram's obedience study is one of psychology's most shocking experiments,...
Psychology661 views·Updated 16 Aug 2026·1 pageUnderstanding Obedience: Insights from Milgram's Study
Amy Breen@amybreen_ikkr
1
of 1
Milgram's Study of Obedience
Ever wondered how far you'd go just because someone in charge told you to? Milgram's 1963 experiment tested exactly this by seeing if 40 male volunteers would give electric shocks to strangers.
The setup was deceptively simple. Participants became the "teacher" whilst a confederate (someone working with Milgram) played the "learner". Every time the learner got a question wrong, the teacher had to deliver an electric shock - and these shocks got stronger each time, reaching a terrifying 450 volts.
The results were staggering. 65% of participants continued right to the maximum shock level, and nobody stopped before 300V. What's mental is that psychology students predicted only 3% would go to the highest level - they were completely wrong about human nature.
Key Insight: The situation you're in matters more than your personality when it comes to obedience. Most people aren't naturally cruel - they just follow authority figures.
Milgram concluded that situational factors - like having someone in a lab coat telling you what to do - are incredibly powerful in determining how we behave. It's not about being a "bad person"; it's about the social pressure around you.
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Psychology661 views·Updated 16 Aug 2026·1 pageUnderstanding Obedience: Insights from Milgram's Study
Amy Breen@amybreen_ikkr
Milgram's obedience study is one of psychology's most shocking experiments, literally. It revealed how ordinary people can be pushed to harm others simply because an authority figure tells them to - findings that still influence our understanding of human behaviour...
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Milgram's Study of Obedience
Ever wondered how far you'd go just because someone in charge told you to? Milgram's 1963 experiment tested exactly this by seeing if 40 male volunteers would give electric shocks to strangers.
The setup was deceptively simple. Participants became the "teacher" whilst a confederate (someone working with Milgram) played the "learner". Every time the learner got a question wrong, the teacher had to deliver an electric shock - and these shocks got stronger each time, reaching a terrifying 450 volts.
The results were staggering. 65% of participants continued right to the maximum shock level, and nobody stopped before 300V. What's mental is that psychology students predicted only 3% would go to the highest level - they were completely wrong about human nature.
Key Insight: The situation you're in matters more than your personality when it comes to obedience. Most people aren't naturally cruel - they just follow authority figures.
Milgram concluded that situational factors - like having someone in a lab coat telling you what to do - are incredibly powerful in determining how we behave. It's not about being a "bad person"; it's about the social pressure around you.
We thought you’d never ask...
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
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Explore key theories of social influence, including conformity, compliance, and obedience. This summary covers pivotal studies such as Milgram's obedience experiment and Asch's conformity tests, highlighting their implications in psychology. Ideal for AQA A Level Psychology students seeking to grasp the dynamics of social behavior and authority.
122,13160
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Explore the groundbreaking Milgram Experiment, which investigates the extent of obedience to authority figures. This summary covers the study's methodology, key findings, and implications, revealing how ordinary individuals can commit inhumane acts under pressure. Ideal for psychology students and those interested in social behavior.
112355
PsychologySocial Influence on Obedience
Explore the social and psychological factors influencing obedience, including Milgram's experiment, the agentic state, and the role of authority. This mind map highlights key concepts such as the agentic shift, destructive authority, and cultural representations of obedience, providing a comprehensive overview for students studying social psychology.
135368
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Explore the key theories of obedience in psychology, focusing on the agentic shift and legitimacy of authority. This summary highlights Milgram's experiment as critical evidence, discussing how authority influences individual behavior and the implications of social hierarchy. Ideal for AQA Psychology students preparing for exams.
126797
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1252419
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123244
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Explore the key findings of Milgram's obedience experiments, focusing on situational variables such as proximity, location, and uniform. This mind map summarizes the impact of these factors on obedience levels, supported by cross-cultural research and evaluations of internal validity. Ideal for psychology students studying obedience theory and research methodologies.
133013
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123438
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127,549322
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