In Milgram’s studies, over 65% of subjects flipped all of the switches to “administer” the highest level of shock. But well over 80% of people surveyed say that they would never do harm another person in that way. How can that be?

Question

A. Milgram’s studies unintentionally included very aggressive people as the sample.
B. People over-estimate the link between their attitudes and their behaviors.
C. Milgram’s studies happened a long time ago – it would be different today.
D. People just say that they wouldn’t harm others, when in fact they know that they really would.

Answer 1

B. People over-estimate the link between their attitudes and their behaviors.

Milgram’s studies have been replicated several times over the years, with essentially the same results, so there is no evidence that the findings have changed over time.
There is also no evidence of socially desirable responding when people say that they would not engage in harmful behaviors.
However, prior to engaging in behavior, people (from Western cultures especially) make the assumption that their own behavior is under their control, and that they will behave in accord with their attitudes (i.e., they don’t think it is right to cause someone else harm, and so they would not cause someone else harm). They tend not to recognize the impact of the situation on their behavior. In retrospect, the fundamental attribution error comes into play – in explaining their own behavior, they over-emphasize the importance of the situation.