Milgram’s (1963) Study of Obedience: Flashcards
Aim of Milgram?
To test the “German’s are different” hypothesis to see if people would obey orders from an authority figure and give electric shocks to harm another person.
Who were the ppts of Milgram?
40 males, aged 20-50, wide variety of backgrounds.
How were they selected?
Self-selected sample. Responsed to a newspaper ad (Effect of punishment on learning).
What was the procedure of Milgram?
Paid $4.50. Yale Uni. Introduced to Mr Wallace, fixed draw (teacher and learner). Each ppt was given a sample shock of 45v and witnessed Mr W being strapped into the chair. Couldn’t see the learner, in front of an electric shock generator.
What was the experimenter wearing?
A grey lab coat and maintained a stern manner.
What happened during the first part of the experiment?
Mr W gave predetermined answers. Ppt instructed to administer an electric shock of 15v increments for each incorrect answer. (Despite Mr W “cries”)
What happened when they got to 300v?
Mr W stopped responding and pounding. 315v pounded once and went silent.
What happened if the ppt refused to carry on?
The experimenter would use standardised prods “please continue” and “you must go on”. If they still refused the experiment was over.
What happened after the experiment?
Ppts debriefed and met Mr W to reassure. Interviewed 7 months later to make sure they didn’t suffer any long-term mental harm.
What were the results of Milgram?
100%= 300v.
65%= 450v.
35% refused= defiant.
Signs of extreme tension. Ppt observed too: Sweat, stutter, tremble. Nervous laughing fits were observed by 14 ppts. Seizures= 3. Ppts experiencing moral strain.
What was the conclusion of Milgram?
Obedience is a product of situation. Authority figure present= Agentic Shift. Even though there was moral strain.
