Evaluating Situational Variables: Milgram's Study

Question 1

Orne and Holland (1968)

- internal validity: lack of realism

Answer 1

participants learn to distrust experimenters in studies as they know the true purpose will get disguised, and in milgram’s atufy the experimenter remained cool and distant conveying that the ‘learner’ wasn’t really being harmed

Question 2

Eagly (1978)

- individual differences: gender

Answer 2

Milgram underestimated the importance of individual differences like gender as women tend to be more susceptible to social influence than men; women went to the highest shock level more than men

Question 3

Mandel (1998)

- external validity: obedience alibi

Answer 3

situational factors of obedience isn’t supported by real life events; in 1942, men were given offers to carry out a mass killing of Jews but we’re also offered the opportunity to do other duties instead but majority took up the offer without protest

Question 4

Diana Baumrind (1964)
- ethical issues

Answer 4

criticised Milgram for his lack of concern for the well being of his participants