Which study is known for demonstrating that obedience to authority can be a powerful motivator?

The Milgram Experiment is well-known for its investigation into the dynamics of obedience to authority. Conducted in the 1960s by psychologist Stanley Milgram, the study aimed to understand how far individuals would go in obeying an authority figure, even when asked to perform actions that conflicted with their personal conscience.

In this experiment, participants were instructed to administer electric shocks to another individual (who was actually an actor and not truly receiving shocks) as part of a learning task. The shocks increased in voltage with each incorrect answer. Despite the apparent distress of the actor, many participants continued to administer shocks under the pressure of the authoritative figure overseeing the experiment, demonstrating a significant tendency to obey orders, even when they believed it could cause harm to others.

This finding highlighted a critical aspect of human psychology: the conflict between individual conscience and the demand of authority. It revealed how situational factors and the presence of authority figures can compel individuals to act in ways contrary to their personal ethics, which is a profound insight into social psychology and behaviors within hierarchical structures such as the military, workplaces, and other organizations.

In contrast, the other experiments mentioned focus on different aspects of social psychology, such as conformity or aggression, but do not specifically address the theme of