Lessons from Yale’s Most Controversial Study

All Episodes

July 5, 2025 • 15 mins

In this episode, we explore the unsettling story of the Milgram shock experiment at Yale University, where everyday people were asked to press switches they believed sent painful electric shocks to an unseen person. We look at how a white lab coat, a simple wall, and calm instructions made people choose obedience over their own sense of right and wrong. We talk about the lessons that echo from the Second World War, the excuses given by soldiers who claimed they were just following orders, and how Stanley Milgram wanted to test if ordinary people would do the same. We break down how authority, responsibility, and the small details of a situation can push people past their limits, and why this experiment still challenges us to think about ethics, courage, and the power of saying no when it matters most.

Join us on Apple Podcasts or Patreon to explore all topics covered by the National Media Archive: