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How did participants react during Milgram's experiment?

  1. They remained calm throughout

  2. Some experienced severe psychological distress

  3. All participants withdrew before the experiment ended

  4. All participants thought it was a joke

The correct answer is: Some experienced severe psychological distress

In Milgram's experiment on obedience, participants exhibited a range of emotional responses, with some experiencing severe psychological distress. This distress manifested in various forms, including visible signs of anxiety, sweating, shaking, and even full-fledged panic attacks as they administered what they believed were painful electric shocks to a learner. Many participants were visibly conflicted between their authoritative instructions to continue and their moral objections to the potential harm they were inflicting. This significant emotional turmoil highlights the powerful impact of situational factors and authority on behavior, illustrating the conflict between personal conscience and perceived responsibility to obey orders. The findings underscore the psychological toll that such obedience can have on individuals, confirming that the pressure to comply with authority can lead to distressing experiences.