Core studies A1

Question 1

inc how they were selected

Milgram
Sample

Answer 1

40 Men 20-50 in new haven and surrounding areas, range of occupations paid $4.50, through newspaper

Question 2

Milgram
Research method and design

Answer 2

Controlled observation, lab setting

Question 3

Milgram DV

Answer 3

Level of shock (v), actions and stress signals, number of prompts given

Question 4

Milgram Procedure

Answer 4

Told it was investigating effect of punishment on learning
Pick the role out of a hat believed it was 50/50 but was fixed
The teacher received a 45v test shock before beginning
Taken to different rooms
Each time the voltage was increased by 15v when answered wrong
Learner had predetermined responses
Teacher only heard complaint from the learner after 300v and 315v banging on the wall and at 330v they went silent
When they hesitate a prompt was used.

Question 5

4

Milgram Prompts

Answer 5

1) Please continue
2) The experiment requires you to continue
3) It is absolutely essential that you continue
4) You have no choice you must continue

Question 6

prediction and actual

Milgram Results

Answer 6

Predictions:
When undergrads were asked they expected no more than 4% to go to 450V
Final:
12.5% stoped at 300V
65% Went all the way to 450V
35% Stopped and refused after 300V
Many showed signs of extreme nervousness e.g. sweating and shaking, 3 had full blown seizures.

Question 7

Milgram Conclusions

Answer 7

-People are much more obedient than expected, anyone is capable of obeying orders that could lead to destructive behaviour
-The study suggests a situational explanation for obedience due to the agentic state rather than individual traits.
-The agency theory is where people view themselves as instruments for carrying out other peoples wishes even against their moral code
-They no longer view themselves as responsible for their actions

Question 8

Milgram Method eval strength

Answer 8

Controlled lab setting, high control over extraneous variables

Question 9

Milgram Method eval weakness

Answer 9

Snapshot study so we can’t see the change over time
Lab setting low ecological validity
Can’t show cause and effect, no control condition or IV

Question 10

Milgram sampling bias strength

Answer 10

-Ethical (consent but not informed)
-convenient
-Easy to reach a wide range of people
-Different occupations represented

Question 11

Milgram sampling bias weakness

Answer 11

-Non-random :biased
-Only people who read newspapers will apply so reduced sample with similar traits
-Non representative as only male andocentric
-ethnocentric only conducted in the USA

Question 12

Milgram Validity

Answer 12

-Low ecological validity as conducted in artificial setting
-Artificial task has low mundane realism
-High experimental realism people felt tension and reacted as if it was real
-lab setting is artificial but can be generalised to similar social situations.g. Police and medical interrogation where there is an authority figure.

Question 13

Deception, Informed consent, protection, debrief, withdrawl

Milgram Ethics

Answer 13

Deception- Told study was about punishment on learning, shocks were real, picked at random, this could harm psychologists reputation
Informed consent- Didn’t know how stressful and what they were actually consenting to
Protection- Affected mentally and showed signs of extreme signs of nervousness
Withdrawal- Not explicitly given the option
Confidentality was protected
Debriefed- Fully and given psychometric eval and counselling