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The Milgram experiments, the first of which was carried out in 1961, were the earliest investigations of the [[power]] of [[authority]] figures as well as the lengths to which participants would go as a result of their influence. [2] Milgram's results showed that, contrary to expectations, a majority of civilian volunteers would obey orders to apply electric shocks to another person until they were unconscious or dead. Prior to these experiments, most of Milgram's colleagues had predicted that only sadists would be willing to follow the experiment to their conclusion. [5]

The Milgram experiments, the first of which was carried out in 1961, were the earliest investigations of the [[power]] of [[authority]] figures as well as the lengths to which participants would go as a result of their influence. [2] Milgram's results showed that, contrary to expectations, a majority of civilian volunteers would obey orders to apply electric shocks to another person until they were unconscious or dead. Prior to these experiments, most of Milgram's colleagues had predicted that only sadists would be willing to follow the experiment to their conclusion. [5]

Studies that predated the Milgram experiment placed very little emphasis upon the participants' responses to authority and [[focus]]ed more upon general fields of [[human]] [[behavior]]. Despite the [[fact]] that [[relative]]ly little direct work had been done on the subject of obedience, Milgram himself had already conducted several studies, which had shown that obedience tended to increase with the [[prestige]] of the [[authority]] figure. In these studies, an undergraduate [[research]] assistant posing as a [[http://www.yale.edu Yale] professor had a much greater influence than did someone of lesser [[status]], regardless of the prestige of the institution in which the study was based. [2][3]

Studies that predated the Milgram experiment placed very little emphasis upon the participants' responses to authority and [[focus]]ed more upon general fields of [[human]] [[behavior]]. Despite the [[fact]] that [[relative]]ly little direct work had been done on the subject of obedience, Milgram himself had already conducted several studies, which had shown that obedience tended to increase with the [[prestige]] of the [[authority]] figure. In these studies, an undergraduate [[research]] assistant posing as a [[https://www.yale.edu Yale] professor had a much greater influence than did someone of lesser [[status]], regardless of the prestige of the institution in which the study was based. [2][3]

Despite the significance of the Milgram experiments, they were regarded as tainted by their breach of [[ethic]]al standards, in that the participants' right to abdicate was removed. [6] It is worth noting, however, that those being shocked were in [[reality]] actors and the shocks were simulated.

Despite the significance of the Milgram experiments, they were regarded as tainted by their breach of [[ethic]]al standards, in that the participants' right to abdicate was removed. [6] It is worth noting, however, that those being shocked were in [[reality]] actors and the shocks were simulated.