Essay

Based on the provided context, describe the specific source of inspiration that led Stanley Milgram to develop his research questions on obedience to authority. In your answer, identify the individuals he observed, the setting, and the specific claims they made that prompted him to investigate this phenomenon.

Question: Based on the provided context, describe the specific source of inspiration that led Stanley Milgram to develop his research questions on obedience to authority. In your answer, identify the individuals he observed, the setting, and the specific claims they made that prompted him to investigate this phenomenon.

Sample answer: Stanley Milgram's research on obedience to authority was partially inspired by his secondhand, informal observation of accused Nazi war criminals who were on trial. Hearing the defendants claim that they were 'merely following orders' led Milgram to formulate research ideas about whether ordinary people would perform immoral acts when directed to do so by an authority figure.

Key points:

  • Milgram was inspired by secondhand, informal observations.
  • The observations were of accused Nazi war criminals on trial.
  • The accused war criminals claimed they were 'merely following orders'.
  • This prompted Milgram to study whether ordinary people would perform immoral acts when directed by an authority figure.

Rubric: The response must accurately recall that Milgram's inspiration came from his secondhand, informal observations of accused Nazi war criminals on trial. Additionally, it must state that these individuals claimed they were 'merely following orders,' which prompted Milgram to question whether ordinary people would perform immoral acts under the direction of an authority figure.

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Updated 2026-05-27

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KPU

Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU

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