Milgram

Question 1

Milgram: A03: Highly unethical

Answer 1

• being deceived about the nature of the study and being pressured to continue when they wanted to quit
• participants experienced a great deal of stress as a result of going through the procedure (X ethically acceptable)
• critics of Milgram have argued that artificiality of the experimental situation meant the situation would not have seemed real to participants
• they would not have been displaying true
  behaviour.

Question 2

Milgram: A03: Socially sensitive

Answer 2

• Milgram and his supporters have used this research to explain the atrocities committed by the Nazis
• Critics of this stance argue that this simplifies the holocaust to a “I was just following orders” defence, i.e Adolph Eichmann,
• who attempted to use this as a defence at his trial
• However, many Nazis supported final solution, believing it was right course of action
• raises concerns, it removes responsibility from Nazis and followers for their part in the atrocities (Mandel)
  -ignores other psychological mechanisms that played a part in their behaviour

Question 3

Milgram: A03: Highly reliable

Answer 3

• Lab based experiment has been replicated many times, high levels of obedience been shown with other populations, genders, in dif situations.
• Hofling et al 21 out of 22 nurses broke hospital rules, preparing to administer twice the max dosage of a drug to a patient after receiving a phone call from unknown doctor
• shows that findings of original research can be trusted
• generalised to wide range of situations, and populations, make valid conclusions and predictions about obedience behaviour.