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Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, Vol. 7, No. 4, 690-695 (1981)
DOI: 10.1177/014616728174028
© 1981 Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Inc.

Another Look at the Milgram Obedience Studies

The Role of the Gradated Series of Shocks

Steven J. Gilbert

State University College, Oneonta, NY

Milgram's (1963, 1965a, 1965b) incremental shock procedure for quantifying obedience may be partly responsible for the high levels of obedience obtained. The innocuous beginning of the shock sequence (low voltage, no negative feedback) may elicit compliance before the frightening implications of the procedure are clear, and the gradual escalation in shock intensity may deprive subjects of a qualitative breakpoint needed to justify changing from obedience to disobedience. Parallels between the incremental shock and the `foot-in-the-door" (Freedman & Fraser, 1966) techniques for obtaining compliance are discussed.


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