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

Bibliographic Data

ID10225519
AuthorsStephen Reicher (0000-0002-3449-0082, University of St Andrews, corresponding author), 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)
Year2014
Volume70
Issue3
Pages393-408
Publication date2014-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Social Issues (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-4537 • E-ISSN: 1540-4560
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/josi.12067
OpenAlexW1900340169
LanguageEN
Citations received24
References cited34

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