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Stanley Milgram: The Impact Of Authority Figure On Obedience

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Stanley Milgram: The Impact Of Authority Figure On Obedience
The reason so many people obey instructions when they feel compelled remains challenging and difficult to understand in social psychology. However, social psychologist Stanley Milgram investigated the impact of authority figure on obedience in an experiment perhaps known as the best-known study in social psychology (Fiske, 2008). Also, the motivation for Stanley to conduct this experiment is to understand why individuals will engage in horrific acts that put others in imminent danger that can lead to severe harm. However, Stanley (1963) concluded that obedience to authority persist due to fear or a desire to appear in compliant with directives even when this is against their opinion or judgement. Although controversial, classical experiment …show more content…
While societal life is grounded on the existence of obedience, it is imperative to understand the ennobling and educative attribute of obedience which is reflected in acts of charity and kindness and also destruction. Numerous factors have an impact on obedience and why individuals obey rules and follow instructions which include fear of punishment and a social contract. Social contracts ensue when individuals obey orders given by a superior and authority figure without questioning their authority ( ). Social contracts can develop in childhood when children would eat their vegetables because their parents ordered them to eat it. However, as we grow older we continue to obey individuals seen as an authority figure within the society (). Also, research findings suggest people experience social contracts from childhood through adulthood and have a tremendous impact on how we behave towards authority figures even when this is against our values and beliefs. Also, fear of punishment is one of the main reasons why discipline is maintained in the society such as obeying traffic rules and regulations. However, individuals should learn about discipline through a reward system rather than be obedient due to fear of punishment which can demoralize and make them angry and dangerous. Nonetheless, it is recognized as an effective means of
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