What Makes a Person a Perpetrator? The Intellectual, Moral, and Methodological Arguments for Revisiting Milgram's Research on the Influence of Authority

Dados Bibliográficos

ID10225519
AutoresStephen Reicher (0000-0002-3449-0082, University of St Andrews, autor correspondente), Stephen D Reicher (University of St Andrews), Alexander Haslam (0000-0001-9523-7921, The University of Queensland), S Alexander Haslam, Arthur G Miller (Miami University)
Ano2014
Volume70
Fascículo3
Páginas393-408
Data de publicação2014-09-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoJournal of Social Issues (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0022-4537 • E-ISSN: 1540-4560
EditoraWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/josi.12067
OpenAlexW1900340169
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas24
Referências citadas34

In this article, we outline the rationale for reexamining Milgram's explanation of how ordinary people can become perpetrators of atrocity. We argue, first, that any consideration of these issues cannot ignore the impact of Milgram's ideas in psychology, in other disciplines such as history, and in society at large. Second, we outline recent research in both psychology and history which challenges Milgram's perspective—specifically his “agentic state” account. Third, we identify the moral dangers as well as the analytic weaknesses of his work. Fourth, we point to recent methodological developments that make it ethically possible to revisit Milgram's studies. Combining all four elements we argue that there is a compelling and timely case for reexamining Milgram's legacy and developing our understanding of perpetrator behavior. We then outline how the various articles in this special issue contribute to such a project

Epistemology · Milgram experiment · Obedience · Perspective (graphical · Sociology · State (computer science · Crime, Deviance, and Social Control · Emotions and Moral Behavior · Philosophy · Psychology · Psychology of Social Influence · Social Psychology