The Role of Human Obedience

Paper Summary:

The paper examines Stanley Milgram's experiments that have provided insight into human capabilities and explain the role of human obedience in the Nazi atrocities perpetrated in Europe. The paper describes Milgram's experiments where a large percentage of persons, if ordered to do something they normally saw as reprehensible, would go forwards to do what was directed if the order was from a source seen as accountable or authoritative, or if told that a task was a necessary evil. The paper discusses the implications this has for society and concludes with the hope that this will lead to new thinking on the strongly authoritarian American society of the present.

Outline:
Introduction
Milgram and Psychology
Concluding Discussion

From the Paper:

"The work of Stanley Milgram (1933-1984) remains much studied in psychology, his famous Yale University experiments having helped to push forwards our insight into human capability and seeming to confirm the role of human obedience in Nazi atrocities perpetrated in Europe, not so long before. (See Blass:2004) The concentration camps and the extremity of all other Nazi abuses were a shock to millions who once believed in European sophistication. Evil undertakings were often the work of educated, moral members of German and other societies once seen as bastions of civilization. There had to be an explanation as to how such deeds were committed by persons who could not be absolved on account of ignorance and Milgram's experiments seemed to provide an ample, disturbing rationale. Lauren Slater commented that no one learning of Milgram's findings could express what they meant to them, to previous ideas of humanity or what these findings "measured or predicted, or how much meaning to ascribe." (2004:56) With regard to views of the human being's conscience, informed choice or volition, Milgram's experiments caused a faltering of confidence in the self-directed moral being altogether that would cause a strong adjustment in the Psychology of his generation and beyond."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Blass, T. (2004). The Man Who Shocked the World - the Life and Legacy of Stanley Milgram. New York: Basic Books.
• Fermaglich, K. (2006). American Dreams and Nazi Nightmares - Early Holocaust Consciousness and Liberal America, 1957-1965. Hanover, New Hampshire and London: University of New England Press.
• Milgram, S. (1974). Obedience to Authority - an Experimental View. New York and London: Harper & Row.
• (1965). Some Conditions of Obedience and Disobedience to Authority. Human Relations, 18, 57-75.
• (1963). Behavioral Study of Obedience. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 67, 371-378.

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