Description of the Study
According to McLeod, "One of the most eminent studies in obedience was carried out by Stanley Milgram in 1963. He was a psychologist at Yale University, and conducted an experiment focusing on the conflict between obedience to authority and personal conscience" (McLeod, 2007).
In his article, McLeod further explains of Milgram: "He wanted to examine the justifications (for acts of genocide) offered by those accused at the Nuremberg War Criminal trials that took place after World War II. The majority of them claimed defenses that were based on 'obedience'; they were 'just following orders' from their superiors.
Milgram began the experiments in July 1961,which was a year after the infamous trial of Adolf Eichmann in Jerusalem. Milgram devised the experiment to answer the question:
'Could it be that Eichmann and his million accomplices in the Holocaust were just following orders? Could we call them all accomplices?'" (Milgram, 1974).
Milgram began the experiments in July 1961,which was a year after the infamous trial of Adolf Eichmann in Jerusalem. Milgram devised the experiment to answer the question:
'Could it be that Eichmann and his million accomplices in the Holocaust were just following orders? Could we call them all accomplices?'" (Milgram, 1974).
November 20, 1945 - October 01, 1946
The Allied Forces held a series of Trials for the prominent members of the political, military, judicial and economic leadership of Nazi, Germany. Mostly comprised of those that that either planned, carried out, or participated in the Holocaust in any capacity. Pictured are some of the defendants during their court dates at the Nuremberg trials, held in Nuremberg Germany.
|