Obedience to authority, cognitive and affective responses and leadership style in relation to a non-normative order: the Milgram experiment

The influence of the context on behavioral and emotional reactions to a war crime situation military cadets (N = 315) is analyzed. study based Milgram’s experience tragedy My Lai.It examines personal peer obedience an anti-normative order (asking participants whether they would obey shoot unarmed civilians) in five vignettes or scenarios that reproduce conditions MyLai scenario. This experimental between-within by two (Milgram, 1974). Personal collective other military, values Schwartz (2012) were measured. Showing enhancement self-bias it reported pairs be more likely than one would. Replicating Milgrams’s results, greater when given directly authority, lower there conflict between authorities peers rebel. Confirming identification with humanity not just in-group may prompt respondents reject order, transcendence self are associated less congruent reactions. Self-perceived transformational leadership was positive emotions towards disobey fire. However style perceived superior respect soldier who open fire, adding information potential dark side this style. relevance values, affectivity discussed.