Milgram Flashcards
Aim of experiment
Investigate power of authority
Test “Germans are different” theory
Procedure
Lab experiment
40 males
Shocks
450 Volts
Participant always teacher
Expérimenter gave verbal prods
Findings
All participants obeyed up to at least 300 volts
12.5% stopped at 300
65% 450
Conclusions
Ordinary will obey to authority even if they know it’s wrong
What were the 3 situational variables
Proximity
Location
Uniform
Proximity
Seperate rooms
Reduced obedience
What happened to obedience rates with proximity
Dropped to 20.5
From baseline 65
Why did proximity influence obedience
Original more obedience due to agentic state (someone else take blame)
Variation less likely autonomous state (they take blame)
Location
Yale to run down office block
What happened to obedience rates for location
Dropped to 48% from baseline 65%
Why did location influence obedience
Adds to legitimacy
Less prestigious less obedience
More prestigious confident in integrity
Uniform
Bickman
Security guard
Clothing can affect perception
Procedure for uniform
Security guard
Normal clothes
Asked to pick up litter, money to star her for parking meter
What happened to obedience rates for uniform
Security guard 82% obeyed
Normal 36% conformed
Why did uniform influence obedience
Uniforms are recognisable
Conveys power and authority
Adds legitimacy
