Milgram: Evaluation:

Question 1

One Strength: Standardised Procedure: Original Study:

Answer 1

(I) One strength is that the procedure was standardised because none of the teachers could see Mr Wallace (J) This means that the study can be replicated to check the consistency of the findings into obedience to authority.

Question 2

One Strength: High in controls: Original Study:

Answer 2

(I) The study is high in controls such as all ppt saw Mr Wallace being strapped into the chair/all received the 45v shock to minimise the effect of extraneous variables such as having a different experience whilst being tested. (J) This means the findings are higher in validity and therefore an accurate explanation of how we respond to authority.

Question 3

One Strength: Quantitative Data: Original Study:

Answer 3

(I) One strength is that there was quantitative numerical data such as 65% of ppt went up to 450 v collected which is objective as can be statistically analysed without bias. (j) This increases the validity as more accurate conclusions about obedience can be gained.

Question 4

One Weakness: Sample Restricted: Original Study:

Answer 4

(I) The sample was restricted as it was androcentric so may not be representative of other genders and how they obey.
(J) This means the findings may not be generalisable to the wider population’s obedience to authority for example to older adults, children and females.

Question 5

One Weakness: Ecological Validity: Original Study:

Answer 5

(I) One weakness is that the study lacked ecological validity as the task and situation was artificial because ppt were asked to administer an electric shock to another ppt for not answering correctly. (J) This is a weakness as the findings about obedience may not be generalised to the real world.

Question 6

One Weakness: Qualitative Data: Original Study:

Answer 6

(I) One weakness is that there was qualitative data such as ppt having seizures or laughing nervously, which is subjective as it needed interpreting by the researcher.
(J) This means the findings could be biased and may not be a valid and accurate explanation of obedience to authority.

Question 7

One Strength: Standardised Procedure: Telephonic Instructions:

Answer 7

(I) One strength is that the procedure was standardised because all verbal prods were given over the phone. (J) This means that the study can be replicated to check the consistency of the findings into obedience to authority when they are not physically present.

Question 8

One Strength: High in controls: Telephonic Instructions:

Answer 8

(I) The study is high in controls such as all were given instructions initially face to face and then over the phone to minimise the effect of extraneous variables such as having a different experience whilst being tested. (J) This means the findings are higher in validity and therefore an accurate explanation of how we respond to authority when they are not present.

Question 9

One Strength: Quantitative Data: Telephonic Instructions:

Answer 9

(I) One strength is that there was quantitative numerical data such as 22.5% went up to 450v collected which is objective as can be statistically analysed without bias. (j) This increases the validity as more accurate conclusions about obedience when an authority figure isn’t present can be gained.

Question 10

One Weakness: Sample Restricted: Telephonic Instructions:

Answer 10

(I) The sample was restricted as it was androcentric so may not be representative of other genders and how they obey.
(J) This means the findings may not be generalisable to the wider population’s obedience to authority for example how females may react to instructions given over the phone.

Question 11

One Weakness: Ecological Validity: Telephonic Instructions:

Answer 11

(I) One weakness is that the study lacked ecological validity as the task and situation was artificial because ppt were given instructions to electrocute someone over the phone. (J) This is a weakness as the findings about physical proximity and how that affects obedience may not be generalised to the real world.

Question 12

One Weakness: Qualitative Data: Telephonic Instructions:

Answer 12

(I) One weakness is that there was qualitative data such as ppt lying about the voltage they were administering, which is subjective as it needed interpreting by the researcher. (J) This means the findings could be biased and may not be a valid and accurate explanation of proximity and how it impacts how we respond to authority.

Question 13

One Strength: Standardised Procedure: Run down office block:

Answer 13

(I) One strength is that the procedure was standardised because all ppt came to the same run-down office block. (J) This means that the study can be replicated to check the consistency of the findings into responses to authority in a less prestigious setting.

Question 14

One Strength: High in controls: Run down office block:

Answer 14

(I) The study is high in controls such as all ppt being told that Mr Williams works for a private research firm, to minimise the effect of extraneous variables such as having a different experience whilst being tested. (J) This means the findings are higher in validity and therefore an accurate explanation of responses to authority in a run-down office block.

Question 15

One Strength: Quantitative Data: Run down office block:

Answer 15

(I) One strength is that there was quantitative numerical data such as 47.5% of ppt went up to 450v, collected which is objective as can be statistically analysed without bias. (j) This increases the validity as more accurate conclusions about how the setting can change obedience can be gained.

Question 16

One Weakness: Sample Restricted: Run down office block:

Answer 16

(I) The sample was restricted as it as androcentric so may not be representative of other genders and how they obey.
(J) This means the findings may not be generalisable to the wider population’s obedience to authority for example to females and how they behave in a less prestigious setting.

Question 17

One Weakness: Ecological Validity: Run down office block:

Answer 17

(I) One weakness is that the study lacked ecological validity as the task and situation was artificial because all ppt were asked to sit in a sparsely furnished office and electrocute someone. (J) This is a weakness as the findings about how the situation impacts obedience may not be generalised to the real world.

Question 18

One Weakness: Qualitative Data: Run down office block:

Answer 18

(I) One weakness is that there was qualitative data such as ppt stated the research was heartless, which is subjective as it needed interpreting by the researcher.
(J) This means the findings could be biased and may not be a valid and accurate explanation of how people respond to authority in an everyday environment.

Question 19

One Strength: Standardised Procedure: Ordinary man:

Answer 19

(I) One strength is that the procedure was standardised because the confederate always suggested a 15v increase, once Mr Williams had left. (J) This means that the study can be replicated to check the consistency of the findings into responses to authority of a peer.

Question 20

One Strength: High in controls: Ordinary man:

Answer 20

(I) The study is high in controls such as the experimenter received a phone call, where they had to leave to minimise the effect of extraneous variables such as having a different experience whilst being tested.
(J) This means the findings are higher in validity and therefore an accurate explanation of how obedient the ppt is to a peer.

Question 21

One Strength: Quantitative Data: Ordinary man:

Answer 21

(I) One strength is that there was quantitative numerical data such as 20% of ppt went up to 450v collected which is objective as can be statistically analysed without bias. (j) This increases the validity as more accurate conclusions about obedience to an ordinary man can be gained.

Question 22

One Weakness: Sample Restricted: Ordinary man:

Answer 22

(I) The sample was restricted as it was androcentric so may not be representative of other genders and how they obey.
(J) This means the findings may not be generalisable to the wider population’s obedience to authority for example females and how obedient they may be to an ordinary man.

Question 23

One Weakness: Ecological Validity: Ordinary man:

Answer 23

(I) One weakness is that the study lacked ecological validity as the task and situation was artificial because all ppt were asked to electrocute another person, by someone who was previously their peer. (J)This is a weakness as the findings about obedience towards an ordinary man may not be generalised to the real world.

Question 24

One Weakness: Qualitative Data: Ordinary man:

Answer 24

(I) One weakness is that there was qualitative data such as uniform is important for creating legitimate authority, which is subjective as it needed interpreting by the researcher. (J) This means the findings could be biased and may not be a valid and accurate explanation of obedience to an ordinary man.