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Social Psychology and Society
2019. Vol. 10, no. 3, 5–18
https://doi.org/10.17759/sps.2019100301
ISSN: 2221-1527 / 2311-7052 (online)

S. Milgram’s experiment through the lens of historical psychology

 
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Abstract

The article presents a look at the results of the classical experiment of S. Milgram from the point of view of the theories of B. Porshnev and D. Jaynes. A review of the provisions of both theories that are relevant to the analysis of the experiment of S. Milgram is given. A comparative analysis was carried out. It is shown that both theories postulate the existence in human history of a period when our ancestors were guided in their behavior not by their own motives, goals and objectives, but by other people’s speech commands — either given by real leaders (B. Porshnev), or their “doubles” — voice-hallucinations (D. Jaynes). If we agree with the authors of these theories, the unquestioning obedience to “authority”, demonstrated by the majority of subjects in the experiment of S. Milgram, is in a certain sense a recurrence of those psychological mechanisms and behaviors that existed in a person in that historical era of total suggestion (according to B. Porshnev) or “bicameral mind” (according to D. Jane).

General Information

Keywords: historical psychology, S. Milgram’s experiment, obedience, suggestion, auditory hallucinations, bicameral mind

Journal rubric: Theoretical Research

OpenAlex citations: 4

OpenAlex trends: Psychology of Social Influence, Academic and Historical Perspectives in Psychology, Emotions and Moral Behavior

Information about the work in OpenAlex

Number of citations: 4

Topics

Psychology of Social Influence

This cluster of papers explores the impact of social norms, particularly in the context of obedience, tipping behavior, and compliance with requests. It delves into the dynamics of social influence, cultural variations in tipping practices, and the psychology behind adherence to norms and authority. The research also investigates the role of persuasion techniques and service quality in shaping individuals' behavior within societal norms.

Number of works: 24265  |  Total number of citations: 449409

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Academic and Historical Perspectives in Psychology

This cluster of papers explores the history and development of psychological science, including topics such as epistemological violence, feminism, ethics, neoliberalism, the cognitive revolution, and public misconceptions. It delves into the evolution of psychological theories, the role of gender in psychology, and the societal perceptions of psychology as a scientific discipline.

Number of works: 205480  |  Total number of citations: 1061878

Topic detailsв OpenAlex

Emotions and Moral Behavior

This cluster of papers explores the complex interplay of moral emotions such as shame, guilt, pride, and envy, and their impact on behavior, social interactions, and mental health. It delves into topics like emotion regulation, appraisal theory, self-conscious emotions, social rank evaluation, depression, and empathy.

Number of works: 36680  |  Total number of citations: 737299

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Work details in OpenAlex

Article type: scientific article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/sps.2019100301

Published

For citation: Pavlenko, V.N. (2019). S. Milgram’s experiment through the lens of historical psychology . Social Psychology and Society, 10(3), 5–18. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/sps.2019100301

© Pavlenko V.N., 2019

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

References

  1. Kutsenkov P.A. Evolyutsionnaya patopsikhologiya (perelistyvaya knigu B.F. Porshneva «O nachale chelovecheskoi istorii) [Evolutionary pathopsychology (preaching the book of B.F Porshnev “On the beginning of human history”]. Istoricheskaya psikhologiya i sotsiologiya istorii [Historical psychology and sociology of history], 2008. Vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 180—197. (In Russ.; abstr. in Engl.).
  2. Porshnev B.F. O nachale chelovecheskoi istorii (problemy paleopsikhologii) [About the beginning of human history (problems of paleopsychology)]. Moscow: Mysl’, 1974. 487 p.
  3. Porshnev B.F. O nachale chelovecheskoi istorii (problemy paleopsikhologii) [About the beginning of human history (problems of paleopsychology)]. Saint Petersburg: Aleteya, 2007. 720 p.
  4. Blass T. The Man Who Shocked the World: The Life and Legacy of Stanley Milgram. Hachette UK, 2009. 384 р.
  5. Doliński D., Grzyb T., Folwarczny M., Grzybała P., Krzyszycha K., Martynowska K., Trojanowski J. Would You Deliver an Electric Shock in 2015? Obedience in the Experimental Paradigm Developed by Stanley Milgram in the 50 Years Following the Original Studies. Social Pychological and Personality Science, 2017, no. 8, pp. 927—933.
  6. Jaynes J. The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2000. 469 p.
  7. Milgram S. Behavioral Study of Obedience. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 1963. Vol. 67, no. 4, pp. 371—378.

Information About the Authors

Valentina N. Pavlenko, Candidate of Science (Psychology), Associate Professor, Chair of Applied Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Kharkiv, Ukraine, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4947-3995, e-mail: vnp49@ukr.net

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