Milgram Flashcards
What was the aim?
To investigate what level of obedience would be shown when subjects were told by an authority figure to administer electric shocks to another person.
What was the DV?
The voltage on shock generator.
Unusual behaviour.
What was the method used?
Subject introduced to learner. Told the study was about punishment on learning.
Subject sees learner placed into chair. Learner explains he has heart condition. Experimenter says shocks are painful but no damage.
Teacher and experimenter return to room. Cant see the learner.
Teacher told the learner to learn word pairs and read out first word and another 4 words. Subject had to choose the right word.
Wrong word= electric shock, shock intensity increased every time the learner said a wrong answer.
No vocal protest. 300v pounding on the wall. 315v pounding then no response.
What were the 4 prods?
1: Please continue/go on.
2: The experiment requires you to continue.
3: It is absolutely essential you continue.
4: You have no other choice, go on.
What was the type of data collection?
Observation.
What did the data consist of?
The maximum level of shock the subject went to, the recordings of the sessions, occasional photographs through a one way mirror, notes of any unusual behaviour.
Where was the investigation carried out?
Two rooms within Yale university.
What did the two rooms contain?
One contained an electric shock generator. The other contained a chair with restraining straps.
What was on the electric shock generator?
30 switches ranging from 15 to 450 volts.
Who were the two male confederates?
The experimenter- A 31 year old biology teacher who wore a grey lab technicians coat.
The learner- A 47 year old accountant who appeared mild mannered and likeable.
Who were the participants?
46 males between the ages of 20 and 50 from a range of occupations and educational backgrounds. Volunteer or self selected range.
What happened at the end of the study?
Learner and teacher reunited. Assured no shocks were given and fully debriefed.
What were the results?
84% glad to have participated. 74% felt they learnt something. 92% response rate.
65% administered fatal shock.
40 subjects gave shocks up to 300 volts with 5 refusing to go beyond this point. 26/40 went all the way up to 450 volts.
What were some signs of extreme stress?
Sweating, trembling, stuttering, bit lips, dug finger nails, cried, laughter.
What were the conclusions? Why was it so high?
Carried out at prestigious uni.
Believed the learner volunteered.
The learner believed the subject had signed a contract and was being paid.
Subject told the shocks werent harmful.
Situation entirely new so they had no previous guide to their behaviour.
No obvious point where the subject could stop due to there only being a small difference between each shock.
Subjects who did withdraw stopped at a natural break when the subject didnt reply.
