Milgram

Question 1

Milgram(1963) Basic Study

A01-Quantitative findings

Answer 1

Of 40ppts
-100% went up to 300V
-5 refuse to go beyond 300V
-4 stopped at 315V
-2 at 330V
- 1 stopped at 345,360+ 375V
=Total of 14 participant defied experiment (35%)
-26 went up to 450V (65%)

Question 2

Milgram(1963) Basic Study

A01-Qualitative results

Answer 2

• Those who went all the way to 450V demonstrated extreme stress, sweating,trembling, stuttered speech, digging nails into palms, nervous laughter
• 14/40 participants showed definite signs of nervous laughter- which seemed entirely out of place, even bizarre: after ppts stressed in post-experimental interviews, laughter wasn’t sadistic or meant they enjoyed giving shocks
• 3 ppts had full, uncontrollable seizures, one being so violently convulsive the experiment had to be halted

Question 3

Milgram(1963) Basic Study

A01- Conclusion 1

Answer 3

Milgram concluded there may be a number of reason why ppts obeyed experimenter;

• Took place at Yale Uni= prestigious
• Was designed to look like a worthy purpose= to advance knowledge in understanding learning processes
• Learner viewed as another participant= could leave if wished
• Reluctance to challenge experimenter- alone in unusual setting, experimenter= professional- knowledgable, trustworthy
• Told shocks painful,not dangerous, increase wasn’t a lot- didn’t seem too bad to increase shock
• Seen as fair experiment= both drew lots at start- equal chance of being teacher or learner

Question 4

Milgram(1963) Basic Study

Conclusion 2

Answer 4

• Milgram therefore argued, that an important factor in influencing behaviour= situation person is in
• Believes we often make dispositional attributions (believe peoples personality shape behaviour) about behaviour- are incorrect
• Believe a person has behaved in the way they do because of their personality when in fact, situation which shaped behaviour

Question 5

Milgram(1963) Basic Study

Background- A01

Answer 5

• Defence for war criminals of atrocities such as genocide eg Holocaust is that they were only following orders
• Horrors of Holocaust, in killing Jews + inhumane policies= only possible if large number of people (Nazis) obeyed orders
• ‘Germans are different hypothesis’- idea that Germans have basic character deficit= readiness to obey authority figure regardless of act/command (dispositional attribute)
• Cause of obedience stems from personality and own characteristics
• Milgram believed that in fact situation led to imhumane behaviour of Nazis, that anybody in same situation would have done the same in same circumstances. Argued people would commit atrocities if required to by authority figure

Question 6

Milgram(1963) Basic Study

Ethics- BPS GUIDELINES BROKEN
Deception

Answer 6

Deception- Intentional deception over the purpose of the investigation should be avoided where possible. There must be strong medical of scientific justification for any deception

• Participants were deceived as to the exact nature of the study for which they volunteered and making them believe they were actually administering electric shocks to a real participant
• Milgram may say this was justified as deception was necessary to aim a true insight into obedience in the presence of a legitimate authority= validity

Question 7

Milgram(1963) Basic Study

Ethics- BPS GUIDELINES BROKEN
Informed consent

Answer 7

Informed consent- Participants should give informed consent and aware of the true nature of the study. In studies involving children, parental consent should be obtained. Payment should never be used to induce risk taking behaviour.

Participants believed that the study was for investigating memory and learning.

Milgram justified by saying deception was necessary and participants were fully debriefed afterwards. 83% glad to have taken part in the study. Only 1% sorry to have been part of it.

Question 8

Milgram(1963) Basic Study

Ethics- BPS GUIDELINES BROKEN
Right to withdraw

Answer 8

Right to withdraw

It is argued although Milgram did offer participants the right to withdraw from study at the beginning, during the study withdrawal may be something participants felt unable to do- compromised by verbal prods-“It is essential you continue”. The money offered could be said to be an incentive to carry out the shocks- may felt they wouldn’t be paid otherwise

Milgram would argue all participants had the right to withdraw as shown through the disobedience of 14 before 450V, and it was offered at the beginning. Money was there regardless of whether they completed the experiment or not.

Question 9

Milgram(1963) Basic Study

Ethics- BPS GUIDELINES BROKEN
Protection from harm

Answer 9

Protection from harm- Participants should be protected from emotional and physical harm. They should be asked about any factors which may create risk i.e medical conditions. Any risk should be no more than could be expected in the course of daily life

Can be argued that participants suffered emotional conflict and stress as shown through the qualitative data gathered which said participant suffered from clear physical signs of stress; trembling, sweating, nervous laughter. 3 even experienced seizures- one so serious the experiment had to be halted. Possible that this could have long lasting effects on the participants- view of self shattered, didn’t think they were possible of inflicting harm on other person before study.

Milgram argues that the ‘stress’ wasn’t serious= ‘momentary excitement’. Follow up by psychiatrists 1 year after experiment found no harmful effect or evidence of trauma.