Milgram Flashcards
1
Q
Aims
A
Investigate:
- if obedience is dispositional or situational
- the ‘Germans are different’ hypothesis
- if Germans had authoritarian personalities
2
Q
Context (names only)
A
- Albert Eichmann
- Theodore Adorno
- Time period (after WW2)
3
Q
Albert Eichmann Context
A
- on trial as head of the Gestapo
- killed 4 million Jews
- defence = obeying orders
4
Q
Theodore Adorno Context
A
- researched personality
- found one personality type = obeys more
- authoritarian personality
- respects authority + order
- serves those above and hates those below
5
Q
Time period Context
A
- after WW2
- (American) people thought Germans = evil race
6
Q
Name of research
A
Behavioural Study of Obedience
7
Q
Date of research
A
1963
8
Q
Number, age and gender of ppts (procedures)
A
40 men 20-50 years old
-All physically and mentally healthy and not in armed forces
9
Q
Sample
A
- ad in local paper
- paid $4.50
- stamford uni
- ppts not aware of nature of study - thought = memory test
10
Q
Experiment procedures
A
- Met by experimenter in white lab coat
- Met Mr Wallace as other ppt but actually confederate
- Both picked roles out hat, all said teacher but Mr Wallace lied and said learner
- Mr Wallace strapped to electric chair
- When ppt left got out of chair and tape played
- ppt given 45V shock
- ppt given generator with switches from 15V to 450 V (LETHAL) in intervals of 15V
- Teachers asked Qs if learner = wrong = shock
- 300V yelled in pain + heart problem
- 350V = silent (dead?)
11
Q
Prod #1
A
“please continue”
12
Q
Prod #2
A
“the experiment requires that you continue”
13
Q
Prod #3
A
“It is absolutely essential that you continue”
14
Q
Prod #4
A
“You have no choice you must go on”
15
Q
Findings
A
- Every ppt continued to 300V (before scream)
- -@300V 5 people refused to continue
- 26/40 (65%) continued to 450V
- Only 35% defied authority
- ppts showed visible signs of distress
- 3 had full seizures
