Milgram's Study on Obedience

Question 1

What was the aim of Milgram’s study?

Answer 1

To test the idea that Germans are different from other people in their willingness to obey barbaric orders during the holocaust. Would participants obey orders to give electric shocks to an innocent stranger?

Question 2

Which method was used in Milgram’s study?

Answer 2

Controlled observation (some say experiment)

Question 3

Profile of the participants in Milgram’s study

Answer 3

> 40 males
aged 20-50
self selected sample of volunteers responding to newspaper advertisement
participants from a variety of educational backgrounds and employment
participants were paid $4.50
all American

Question 4

Procedure

Answer 4

1. Participant told experiment on learning
2. Drew lots (fixed)
3. Teacher given sample shock
4. Learner learn word pairs - incorrect answers resulted in electric shock (not really)
5. Equipment shows voltage increasing by 15V
6. At 300V learner banged on wall - then silent
7. Standardised procedure
8. Learners answers same each time
9. Verbal prods from researcher

Question 5

Results

Answer 5

> 26/40 went to max. 450V
All went to 300V
5/40 stopped at 300V (banging on wall)
Signs of stress shown - sweating, nervous laughter
3 participants - uncontrollable seizures

Question 6

Conclusion

Answer 6

Germans are not different and it is the situation that shapes behaviour and not necessarily an individual’s personality. The situational factors (such as being as Yale University, it was a worthy cause, the status of the researcher, etc.) led the person to being obedient.