Milgram Flashcards
What does the study focus on regarding authority?
It looks at the influence of people who have legitimate authority.
Which group of individuals’ behavior is referenced in the study?
The behavior of (Nazi) German SS officers in WW2.
What does the study suggest about those who obey immoral orders?
It suggests that they were as guilty as those who gave the orders.
What are the aims of the study?
- Why do people obey authority?
- What are the conditions that foster obedient behaviour?
- What are the conditions that foster independent behaviour?
What method was used in the study?
A controlled observation having no IV.
What was the method of advertisement for the scientific study at Yale University?
Newspaper and direct mailing.
How much did each participant pay to take part in the study?
$4 (+ 50c).
How many participants were in the study?
40 men.
What was the age range of the participants in the study?
20-50 years old.
Where were the participants from?
New Haven.
What were participants told the experiment was about?
To see how punishment affected learning.
Who was always designated as the learner in the experiment?
Mr. Wallace (a confederate).
How was Mr. Wallace secured during the experiment?
He was strapped to a chair in the next room and attached to an electric shock machine.
What happened every time the learner got a task wrong?
He received an electric shock that increased in 15V increments from 15V to 450V.
What did the learner do at 300V?
He pounded on the wall and asked to be let out.
What occurred at 315V?
The learner pounded on the wall and then stopped responding.
What were the four prods used by the experimenter?
- Please continue.
- The experiment requires you to continue.
- It’s absolutely essential that you continue.
- You have no other choice, you must go on.
What were participants told about the physical effects of the shocks?
They were told there would be no permanent physical injury from the shocks.
What were the results of the study?
100% participants went to 300V
65% went to 450V.
What conclusions were drawn from the study?
- Proposed AGENTIC STATE to explain high levels of obedience
- In this situation participants act as ‘tool’ for experimenter, passing responsibility for consequences to experimenter.
What note was made after the experiment on the participants debriefing?
- After experiment all participants reunited with Learner
- Assured no real damage
- Follow up questionnaire
- 84% glad to participate
- Only 1 sorry he participated.
