#631 | The Dark Side of Psychology | The Milgram Experiment

#631 | The Dark Side of Psychology | The Milgram Experiment

Author: Leonardo English September 11, 2026 Duration: 26:43

 


In 1961, psychologist Stanley Milgram tested how far ordinary Americans would go when an authority figure told them to hurt someone.

 

His disturbing experiment revealed the power of obedience and raised frightening questions about how easily good people can do terrible things.

 
  • Adolf Eichmann's trial and the banality of evil
  • Stanley Milgram studies obedience to authority at Yale
  • Volunteers deceived with teacher and learner roles
  • Shock machine with rising volts and scripted learner reactions
  • Experimenter prompts encourage teachers to continue
  • Sixty-five per cent gave the maximum 450-volt shock
  • Variations test authority setting proximity and peer dissent
  • Factors include authority distance and gradual escalation
  • Ethical debates and belief in real shocks
  • 2009 replication and the agentic state concept

Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/milgram-experiment

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Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية


If your language studies could use a dose of fascination, English Learning for Curious Minds might just be what you're looking for. Created by Leonardo English, this podcast is designed for intermediate to advanced learners who are tired of dry textbooks and repetitive exercises. Instead, each episode dives into a curiously compelling topic-you might explore the history of forgotten inventions, unravel mysteries of ancient cultures, or discuss surprising scientific discoveries. The conversation is deliberately paced for comprehension, allowing you to absorb natural pronunciation and complex vocabulary in context. To support your learning, every episode includes an interactive transcript, subtitles, and key vocabulary lists. It’s this blend of genuine intellectual curiosity and practical learning tools that has built a global community, with listeners tuning in from 189 different countries. The result is a genuinely engaging way to build fluency, where improving your English feels less like a chore and more like a series of fascinating conversations about the weird and wonderful aspects of our world.
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