Burger (2009) Contemporary Study

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

Find out if results from Milgram’s experiment were replicable

Question 2

Procedure (6)

Answer 2

Start at 15V
Screening process before experiment starts to protect mental health
Experimenter tells participant shocks are safe despite learner having a mild heart condition
Pain related noises from learner at 75V
Want to stop at 150V
Experimenter stops experiment if teacher moves to use 165V

Question 3

Results (3)

Answer 3

70% prepared to go to past 150V compared to 82.5% in original
Men vs women: no significant difference
Empathy didn’t make a significant stand in it however those that stopped at 150 or sooner had lighter locus of control

Question 4

Conclusion (2)

Answer 4

Milgram’s results still stand
Empathy makes no difference though locus of control does

Question 5

Generalisability (2)

Answer 5

Population validity- 2/3 women out of 70
Population validity ages 20-59

Question 6

Reliability (2)

Answer 6

Replicable
Peer assessed (filmed experiment)

Question 7

Application (2)

Answer 7

Increase obedience in schools, prisons, workplaces etc
Locus of control testing

Question 8

Validity (3)

Answer 8

Ecological validity
Social pressure not money drove them to shock
Assumption that those going to 165V would go to 450V

Question 9

Ethics (4)

Answer 9

Experimenter trained clinical psychologist
Screened participants
Approved by university university ethics panel
Informed consent