Burger (2009) Flashcards
What was the aim of Burger’s study?
To investigate obedience by partially replicating Milgram’s baseline experiment to examine whether situational factors affect obedience in comparison to an authority figure.
What were the 6 welfare actions that Burger included to make his study more ethical?
- 2-step screening process to exclude anyone who may have a negative reaction to the study
- Ppts were told 3 times (twice in writing) that they can withdraw at any point and still get the $50 for participation.
- The ppts were given a lower shock of 15v
- The study was stopped at 150v instead of 450v to avoid intense stress
- There was no time between ending the study and revealing the learner had received no shocks
- The experimenter was a clinical psychologist who was told to end immediately if he saw any signs of excessive stress
What did Burger predict about the obedience levels in comparison to Milgram’s baseline study?
He didn’t think there would be any real difference
What was the gender difference in obedience?
There was no gender difference, it was exactly the same
What was interesting about motivational control personalities?
Individuals who were more motivated to have control and make their own decisions were less likely to obey the experimenter than those who were less motivated to feel in control.
What was interesting about the sample Burger used?
- The sample was self-selecting
- It was a mix of men and women
- The age range was 20-81
- The sample went through a 2-step screening process
Where was the advertisement placed?
In newspapers and on flyers in libraries, farmers’ markets, coffee shops and community centres.
How much were participants paid?
$50 for two 45 minute sessions
What happened in the first screening process?
Any participant with more than 2 psychology classes or answered yes to at least one of the six questions they were asked about psychiatric history were eliminated (about 30% of the sample).
What was the main process of the second screening process?
It was at Santa Clara University and the remaining ppts had to fill out a set of questionnaires.
What were the questionnaires measuring?
THE INTERPERSONAL REACTIVITY INDEX: Measured levels of empathy
THE BECK ANXIETY INVENTORY: Measures severity of anxiety
THE DESIRABILITY OF CONTROL SCALE: Measures extent of motivations to see themselves as in control of their lives
THE BECK DEPRESSION INDEX: Measures severity of depression
What happened to the ppts after the 4 questionnaires?
They were interviewed by psychiatrists to check if they would be negatively impacted by the study. Each interview was around 30 minutes.
How many ppts were eliminated after the second screening process?
47/123 ppts were removed. 76 were invited back a week later, 6 dropped out (5 had expressed awareness of Milgram’s study). This left 41 women and 29 men aged 20-81.
What was the baseline procedure in Burger’s study?
- ppts were split into 2 groups of equal gender ratio
- Each ppt was introduced to the experimenter and the confederate
- Before the study began, they were both given their $50 and verbally given the right to withdraw and still keep the money.
- Ppts then signed a contract which stated their rights to withdraw and that they may be videotaped by two hidden cameras.
- The same procedure was then followed as Milgram’s
- Confederate strapped to chair and explains his heart condition.
- ppt was given a 15v shock instead of 45v
What were the ‘profiles’ of the experimenter and confederate?
Experimenter - White caucasian male in his 30s
Confederate - White caucasian male in his 50s
