The willingness to obey authority is a psychological phenomenon that has long attracted the interest of researchers and social scientists. The term "obedience to authority" describes the tendency of people to follow instructions or orders from authority figures, even if these conflict with their own moral convictions. This phenomenon was first systematically analysed by Stanley Milgram in the 1960s in his famous "Milgram experiment".
In Milgram's experiment, subjects were instructed to administer supposedly painful electric shocks to a person in another room if that person gave incorrect answers to questions. Although the subjects knew that the electric shocks could be harmful, they obeyed the instructions of the authority figure (the experiment leader) and continued the shocks. This experiment impressively illustrated how people tend to follow authoritarian orders, even if they have moral reservations.
Another prominent example of obedience to authority is the famous Stanford Prison Experiment conducted by Philip Zimbardo. In this experiment, voluntary participants were put in the roles of guards and prisoners in a simulated prison. The guards were instructed to act in an authoritarian manner, which led to severe psychological stress and emotional strain among the prisoners. The experiment had to be cancelled prematurely as the situation got out of control.
These examples illustrate how strong the influence of authority can be on people's behaviour. It shows that social norms and pressure from authority can lead individuals to neglect their own moral principles and conscience. Obedience to authority can occur in different contexts, be it in the family, at work or even in political systems.
It is important to emphasise that Obedience to Authority is not necessarily negative. In certain situations, such as in the army or in emergencies, following instructions can be life-saving. Nevertheless, it is crucial to be aware of the tendency towards blind obedience and to critically question when authority demands unethical actions. Research on this topic has helped to deepen the understanding of human psychology and behaviour in social situations.
In today's world, where authority is present in different areas of our lives, it is crucial to find a balance between obedience and moral integrity. Reflecting on the reasons behind our actions and being willing to place ethical standards above blind obedience are important steps in understanding and minimising the impact of Obedience to Authority in our society.