Reasons for the obedience

• What prestigious university hosted Milgram's obedience study?

  Yale
• Why did the location of the study contribute to obedience?

  It provided authority to the experiment
• What assumption did participants make about the experimenter?

  That he knew what he was doing
• Why did participants believe the situation was 'fair'?

  They thought the learner consented to participate
• What obligation did participants feel towards the experimenter?

  To not disrupt the experiment
• How was the participant's sense of obligation reinforced?

  They had been paid to participate
• Why was the situation considered novel for participants?

  They had no previous experience to guide behavior
• What assurance was given to participants regarding the shocks?

  That they were 'painful but not dangerous'
• How was the short-term pain justified for participants?

  By the possibility of long-term scientific gain
• What are the key reasons for high levels of obedience in Milgram's study?

  • Authority of the prestigious location (Yale)
  • Trust in the experimenter's knowledge
  • Belief in the fairness of the situation
  • Obligation to not disrupt the experiment
  • Reinforcement of obligation through payment
  • Novelty of the situation leading to compliance
  • Assurance of shock safety
  • Justification of pain for scientific gain