Milgrams (1963) Agency Theory Of Obedience

Question 1

Aim of Study

Answer 1

to see if people would obey orders from an authority figure and give electric shocks to harm another person.

Question 2

Location

Answer 2

Yale University

Question 3

Example of a Standardised prod

Answer 3

“please continue” and “you must go on” this increases validity and reliability as they felt like they couldn’t withdraw from the study.

Question 4

What did Milgram do during to not protect participants

Answer 4

Milgram deceived participants into thinking the study was real when it was not. He told participants they “must go on” and “please continue so they felt like they could not withdraw from the study.

Question 5

What did Milgram do to protect participants after study

Answer 5

Milgram interviewed participants several months later to ensure their was no long term effects or harm done from the study.

Question 6

Variations of Milgrams study

Answer 6

7 - Telephonic Instructions
10 - Run down Office Block
13 - Ordinary man

Question 7

TELEPHONIC INSTRUCTIONS

Variation 7

AIM

Answer 7

Whether the physical proximity of the experiment had an influence on the level of obedience displayed by participants

Question 8

TELEPHONIC INSTRUCTIONS

Variation 7

PROCEDURE

Answer 8

The experimenter ordered 40 male participants over the phone. After giving orders face to face at the start of experiment, experimenter left the room so the teacher was left alone in the room and recieved further instructions and verbal prods over the telephone.

Question 9

TELEPHONIC INSTRUCTIONS

Variation 7

RESULTS

Answer 9

Milgram found ** obedience dropped to 22.5% of those willing to deliver 450 volt shocks compared to the 65% in original study**. Milgram observed participants administered lower shocks than increasing volts and lied to the experimenter about it by assuring experimenters that they were increasing the shock level.

Question 10

TELEPHONIC INSTRUCTIONS

Variation 7

CONCLUSION

Answer 10

Milgram concluded that physical presence of an authority figure is an important factor affecting peoples obedience

Question 11

RUN DOWN OFFICE BLOCK

Experiment 10

AIM

Answer 11

To see if changing the setting to a run down office block rather than Yale University (well known and highly respected) would change obedience levels due to a less prestigious setting.

Question 12

Experiment 10

PROCEDURE

Answer 12

40 males were selected through mailshot recruitement *(volunteer sampling) * less official but paid for their time. The study was then conducted the same way as the original.

Question 13

Experiment 10

RESULTS

Answer 13

Milgram found obedience dropped to 47.5% compared to 65% in the original study. Participants questioned the credentials of the company on arrival, one of them made notes and anothr thought the study was “heartless” Participants evidently showed more doubt and asked more questions.

Question 14

Experiment 10

CONCLUSION

Answer 14

Milgram concluded obedience decreased in a less prestigious environment giving power of authoirty figure less legitamecy showing the environment matters.

Question 15

Autonomous State

Answer 15

When we are free to take responsibility for our actions, free thinking and listen to our conscience and accept the consequences of our actions.

Question 16

Agentic Shift

Answer 16

Moving between thinking autonomously and obeying an authority figure.

Question 17

Agentic State

Answer 17

Feeling controlled by an authority figure so giving up individual responsibility for our actions.

Question 18

Moral Strain

Answer 18

A feeling of intense discomfort and stress caused by internal conflict between following orders of the authority figure even though we think these are wrong.

Question 19

Autonomous State

Answer 19

Free to take responsibility for our actions and listen to our conscience and accept the consequences of our actions.

Question 20

Agentic State

Answer 20

State or feeling controlled by an authority figure so giving up inidividual responsibility for our actions.

Question 21

Agentic Shift

Answer 21

moving between thinking autonomously and obeying an authority figure.

Question 22

Moral Strain

Answer 22

A feeling of discomfort and stress caused by internal conflict between the need to follow orders of the authority figure eventhough we think it is wrong.

Question 23

Why is the study not useful

Answer 23

Individual Differences
Milgram didnt focus on internal factors and personality. This doesnt exaplin why 14 of those participants were not fully obedient.

Question 24

Qualitatative Data

ORIGINAL STUDY

Answer 24

40 PARTICIPANTS ADMINISTERED ELECTRIC SHOCK OF 300V TO THE “LEARNER”
65% carried on adminsitrating 450V shock.
35% refused and were considered as defiant.

Question 25

Qualitatative Data

Question 26

Moral Strain of study

Answer 26

Moral strain was evident as signs of tension were noted by researcher as participants “sweat, tremble, stutter, bite their lips, groan and dig their fingers into their flesh.

Question 27

EXPERIMENT