Milgrams (1963) Agency Theory Of Obedience Flashcards
Aim of Study
to see if people would obey orders from an authority figure and give electric shocks to harm another person.
Location
Yale University
Example of a Standardised prod
“please continue” and “you must go on” this increases validity and reliability as they felt like they couldn’t withdraw from the study.
What did Milgram do during to not protect participants
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.
What did Milgram do to protect participants after study
Milgram interviewed participants several months later to ensure their was no long term effects or harm done from the study.
Variations of Milgrams study
7 - Telephonic Instructions
10 - Run down Office Block
13 - Ordinary man
TELEPHONIC INSTRUCTIONS
Variation 7
AIM
Whether the physical proximity of the experiment had an influence on the level of obedience displayed by participants
TELEPHONIC INSTRUCTIONS
Variation 7
PROCEDURE
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.
TELEPHONIC INSTRUCTIONS
Variation 7
RESULTS
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.
TELEPHONIC INSTRUCTIONS
Variation 7
CONCLUSION
Milgram concluded that physical presence of an authority figure is an important factor affecting peoples obedience
RUN DOWN OFFICE BLOCK
Experiment 10
AIM
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.
Experiment 10
PROCEDURE
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.
Experiment 10
RESULTS
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.
Experiment 10
CONCLUSION
Milgram concluded obedience decreased in a less prestigious environment giving power of authoirty figure less legitamecy showing the environment matters.
Autonomous State
When we are free to take responsibility for our actions, free thinking and listen to our conscience and accept the consequences of our actions.
Agentic Shift
Moving between thinking autonomously and obeying an authority figure.
Agentic State
Feeling controlled by an authority figure so giving up individual responsibility for our actions.
Moral Strain
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.
Autonomous State
Free to take responsibility for our actions and listen to our conscience and accept the consequences of our actions.
Agentic State
State or feeling controlled by an authority figure so giving up inidividual responsibility for our actions.
Agentic Shift
moving between thinking autonomously and obeying an authority figure.
Moral Strain
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.
Why is the study not useful
Individual Differences
Milgram didnt focus on internal factors and personality. This doesnt exaplin why 14 of those participants were not fully obedient.
Qualitatative Data
ORIGINAL STUDY
40 PARTICIPANTS ADMINISTERED ELECTRIC SHOCK OF 300V TO THE “LEARNER”
65% carried on adminsitrating 450V shock.
35% refused and were considered as defiant.
