Milgram study Flashcards
What type of research method did Milgram use in his experiment?
Independent measured, controlled lab experiment
What was being measured?
The max shock they administer before they refuse to go any further, 0 to 450 volts
What was the aim of this study?
To investigate the extent to which people would obey an authority figure, even when the actions they were asked to carry out goes against their morals
What role did the learner play in milgrams experiment?
Confederate (actor) who purposefully got questions wrong to see if they would punish them
What role did the teacher play?
Administered the shocks when learner got questions wrong
How did Milgram use deception to ensure that ppts believed the situation was real?
- Ppts told study was about learning + memory, not obedience
- Also gave small shocks (45 volts) so ppts knew they were real
What instructions did the experimenter give to the ppt?
Instructed them to increase voltage by 15 everytime they got a question wrong or didnt answer a question
How did the experimenter respond to ppt’s doubts or reluctance?
Experimenter issued standard prods: Please continue, you have no other choice you must go on
Experimenter had white lab coat - looked authoritative so they listened
What kind of data did Milgram collect and what was being collected?
Quantitative data - Num of ppts who administered each shock , + % of ppts who complied with experimenter’s demands
Did Milgram collect any qualitative data?
Through observations + recording reactions of ppts, including their verbal protests, hesitations, + signs of distress (e.g. sweating, nervous laughter)
Used to provide insight into psychological stress ppts endured
What were the results?
- 65% of ppts (teachers) continued to highest level of volts (450 volts), all ppts continued to 300 volts
- 14 defiant individuals stopped early: 5 stopped at 300, 4 at 315, 2 at 330, + 1 each at 345, 360, + 375
What were the additional results?
- Ppts often showed signs of extreme tension: Sweating, biting lips, trembling, stuttering, nervous laughter
- In post-experimental interview, subjects rated pain of last few shocks on 14 point scale, modal response was 14 (extremely painful) with mean of 13.42
Conclusion: Why did Milgram think the ppts obeyed?
Prestigious environment, importance of fake study, random allocation to conditions
Why did prestigious environment make ppt obey?
Needed to comply due to authority + authoritative environment
Why did ppts obey due to importance of fake study?
Felt they needed to compy due to helping study + dont want it or interfere
Why did ppts obey due to random allocation to conditions?
Rigged draw of allocation, they believed they couldve been in the opposite condition
What was the sample?
40 white men from Newhaven, aged 20-50 + high school teachers or labourers
Paid $4.50 to participate
How were the participants deceived into believing the shock generator was real?
Each ppt received a 45V shock
When did the learner stop responding?
At 300V learner banged on walk then stopped responding after 300V
How was psychological harm decreased?
Debrief done + ppt reunited with learner to make sure they’re okay
