Conclusion

Milgram’s obedience experiments illuminated how situational forces drive compliance, reshaping social psychology and ethical standards. His intention was to prevent atrocities like the Holocaust by understanding obedience to authority, not to enable control (Milgram, 1974). Yet, governments, businesses, and advocacy groups have applied his findings, often resembling Nazi control techniques in their use of authority and persuasion. This dual legacy—revealing obedience’s dangers while enabling manipulation—highlights the need for ethical oversight in applying psychological insights.