Milgram's 1963 Study Flashcards
What is Obedience?
A form of social influence in which an individual follows a direct order- usually issued by a person of authority
What was the aim?
To investigate what level of obedience would be shown when participants were told by an authority figure to administer electric shocks to another person
What was the sample?
Volunteer sample; advert in a newspaper for a study of memory
Who were the participants?
40 men (20-50yrs)
Who was the confederate?
Mr Wallace- he always picked to be the learner. Draw was rigged
What did the shock generator go to?
The fake shock generator had 30 switches and went from 15V to 450V
What did the experimenter say to keep the experiment going?
“Please Continue” and “The experiment requires you to continue”
How many participants obeyed up to 300V?
All of them
How many obeyed to the full 450V?
26 (65%)
What other issues did the participants show?
14- Nervous laughter
3- full blown seizures
All showed signs of moral strain
What did Milgram conclude?
Most important factor determining obedience is the situation.
What were the strengths?
-Volunteer sample
-Reliable- Stand. procedure
-Benefits to society
-High internal validity
-Quantitative and Qualitative data
