Burger (2009)

Question 1

What was a key finding regarding proximity in Milgram’s variation studies?

Answer 1

Low proximity decreases obedience

Sedikides and Jackson (1990) found that guests at the Bronx zoo were less likely to obey a distant authority figure.

Question 2

What does the ordinary man study demonstrate about authority?

Answer 2

Decreased authority leads to decreased obedience

Sedikides and Jackson’s study showed that uniformed authority figures elicited more obedience than those in casual clothing.

Question 3

What were the aims of Burger’s 2009 study?

Answer 3

• To investigate differences in obedience levels compared to Milgram
• To investigate if personality factors such as empathy and desire for control affect obedience

Question 4

What was the age range / gender of participants in Burger’s study?

Answer 4

20-81 years old / 29 men and 41 women

Question 5

What screening was done for Burger’s participants?

Answer 5

Excluded those with knowledge of Milgram’s study and individuals who might find the study distressing

This screening was conducted through interviews by a clinical psychologist.

Question 6

What does empathic concern measure?

Answer 6

Tendency to feel sympathy for others

Question 7

What was the role of participants in Burger’s experiment?

Answer 7

Always the teacher delivering shocks

Question 8

What were participants told about their ability to leave the experiment?

Answer 8

They could leave at any point

Question 9

What was the percentage of participants who stopped at 150V in Burger’s study?

Answer 9

30%

Question 10

How did obedience rates in Burger’s study compare to Milgram’s?

Answer 10

Lower in Burger’s study (70% continued) compared to Milgram’s (82.5%)

Question 11

What personality factor was slightly higher in participants who refused to continue in Burger’s study?

Answer 11

Desire for control

Question 12

What ethical consideration did Burger implement compared to Milgram?

Answer 12

Stopped the study at 150V

Question 13

What was one issue identified in Burger’s study regarding its applicability?

Answer 13

Findings may not apply to real-world obedience situations

Question 14

True or False: Burger’s study had a higher stress level for participants than Milgram’s.

Answer 14

False

Question 15

What does the ethical guideline of confidentiality entail?

Answer 15

Participants’ identities must be kept anonymous

Question 16

What does the right to withdraw mean in research ethics?

Answer 16

Participants can leave the study at any time without penalty

Question 17

What is one strength of Burger’s study regarding generalizability?

Answer 17

High population validity due to diverse sample

Question 18

What was one limitation of Burger’s study regarding participant selection?

Answer 18

Excluded vulnerable participants, reducing generalizability

Question 19

What was a key conclusion from Burger’s findings?

Answer 19

Obedience is not era-bound or male-bound

Question 20

Fill in the blank: The findings of Burger’s study suggest that a lack of _______ is not the reason people follow orders to harm others.

Answer 20

empathy

Question 21

What was one ethical improvement Burger made over Milgram’s experiment?

Answer 21

Participants were told they could withdraw multiple times

Question 22

Describe one strength of Burger’s controlled procedure.

Answer 22

Results can be compared to Milgram’s, showing consistency in obedience rates

Question 23

What did the experimenter inform participants about their ability to withdraw?

Answer 23

Participants were told at least three times that they could withdraw and still get payment.

Question 24

What voltage was used for the sample shock in the study?

Answer 24

15V sample shock instead of 45V.

Question 25

What action was taken to ensure participants were informed about the experiment’s safety?

Answer 25

Participants were told immediately that there were no shocks and the ‘learner/victim’ was shown to demonstrate that no harm had been done.

Question 26

What was the professional qualification of the experimenter?

Answer 26

The experimenter was a clinical psychologist.

Question 27

Under what condition was the study to be terminated?

Answer 27

The study was to be ended if any ‘excessive stress’ was seen.

Question 28

What percentage of the sample was excluded based on mental health screening?

Answer 28

38% sample excluded based on mental health/anxiety/drug dependency.

Question 29

What ethical code did the study adhere to?

Answer 29

BPS Code of Conduct.

Question 30

How did the study protect participants while exploring obedience?

Answer 30

It adhered to ethical guidelines and ensured participants could withdraw.

Question 31

What was a strength of Burger’s study in the context of ethical research?

Answer 31

It researched obedience without violating ethical guidelines.