The power of situational forces

Milgram’s experiments reveal how situational forces in behavior drive actions. Philip Zimbardo (2007) argued that participants obeyed because complying was easier than confronting authority. Elliot Aronson (2008) noted that the Yale setting and scientists’ credibility fostered trust, as participants viewed scientists as benevolent (p. 45). Haslam et al. (2015) propose an “engaged followership” model, suggesting participants obeyed because they identified with the experiment’s scientific purpose. Cross-cultural studies show obedience varies, with collectivist cultures exhibiting higher compliance (Blass, 2012). These findings emphasize that context shapes behavior more than individual character.