1.1 content (social) Flashcards
what was the aim of milgram’s experiment?
to investigate whether people would obey a figure of authority when told to harm another person
what was the procedure of milgram’s experiment?
- participant introduced to fake learner
- participant told they were “randomly” getting allocated rolls but participant was always the teacher
- the learner has to learn a list of word pairs
- if learner gets an answer wrong, the teacher has to shock them
- shocks range from 15V to 450V
- eventually, the learner will stop responding to the teacher
- experimenter will give 4 prods if teacher wants to stop shocking
- experiment will end if teacher keeps protesting after 4 prods or when full 450V have been delivered
what are the findings of milgram’s experiment?
- all participants went up to 300V
- 65% delivered full 450V
- this shows that most participants are willing to give electric shocks out of obedience
what happened in experiment 7 milgram?
- after giving initial instructions, the experimenter left and gave his orders over the phone
- only 22.5% of participants gave shocks to 450V
what can we find from experiment 7 milgram?
shows that the physical presence of an authority was an important factor contributing to the subjects obedience
what happened in experiment 10 milgram?
experiment conducted in a three room office in a downtown shopping area in bridgeport
what were the findings of experiment 10 milgram?
- only 48% of participants delivered the maximum shock instead of the 65% at yale
- as the study took place in a less reputable place, the obedience rates were reduced
what happened in experiment 13 milgram?
- experimenter gives instructions to the participant then leaves
- doesn’t mention what shock levels to use if learner gets answer wrong
- accomplice, with enthusiasm insists with participant that the shock level should increase every time learner gets an answer wrong.
what were the findings of experiment 13 milgram?
- only 20% of the participants have the maximum shock level
- 80% broke off with the accomplice
- shows that the authority of the individual giving the instructions has an impact on the levels of obedience
what is the autonomous state?
a state where we choose how to behave, and any consequences are our own responsibilities
what is the agentic state?
- obeying what someone else says, and following an authority figure whether you agree or not
- you believe that any consequences are the authority’s responsibility
what is agentic shift?
when someone changes from autonomous state to agentic state
what is moral strain?
- when you feel stressed while doing something under an authority’s obedience. it goes against your moral rules
- if strain’s great enough, you will disobey
what is a binding factor?
factors that make you obey an authority figure (eg bribes and blackmails)
what are the steps of social impact theory?
- strength
- immediacy
- number of sources
- division of impact
what is strength?
- perceived power or authority
- could be done by appearing intense or charismatic
- strength is affected by wealth and relationships