Milgrams Study Flashcards
what were the findings of Milgram’s study?
12.5% stopped at 300 volts. 65% continued to the highest level. pps showed signs of extreme tension.
what were the conclusions of Milgram’s study?
we obey legitimate authority even if that means that our behaviour causes harm to someone else.
what is a limitation of Milgram’s research? (Demand characteristics)
One limitation is that some researchers suggest that the pps had guessed that the electric shocks were fake. this means the pps were play acting in order to please Milgram and the researchers. This is a limitation as it suggests that the pps were responding to demand characteristics which lowers the internal validity of the experiment.
what were the 3 situational variables Milgram manipulated in his study?
proximity, location and uniform
what were the 2 types of proximity variations?
touch proximity, remote instruction
Explain the baseline procedure of milgram’s research.
40 American men volunteered to take part in the study. When they arrived, each ppt were introduced to another ppt- but this ppt was a confederate. The naive ppt was assigned the role of the teacher, and the confederate was always the leaner. An experimenter was also involved, and they wore a white coat. The leaner had to remember pairs of words. Each time he made an error, the teacher had to deliver stronger and stronger electric shocks. When the shocks reached 300v the learner would pound on the wall and then gave no response to the next question. The experimenter also got increasingly demanding when telling the naive ppt to continue with the shocks.
What is a limitation of milgrams research? (Alternative interpretation)
One imitation is that milgram’s conclusions about obedience may not be justified. One psychologist has pointed out that none of milgram’s pps obeyed the experimenter when they gave their most demanding prod to try and get the pps to continue. This can be explained by the social identity theory, as the pps only continued when they identified with the aims of the research, not when they were expected to just blindly obey an authority figure. This is a limitation as it shows that the SIT may provide a more valid interpretation of Milgrams findings than milgram himself.
Explain the touch proximity variation in milgrams study
The teacher had to force the learners hand onto an electroshock plate after giving a wrong answer. Obedience dropped to 30%
Explain the remote instruction variation relating to proximity in milgram’s study
The experimenter left the room and gave instructions to the teacher by a telephone call. Obedience dropped to 20.5%
Explain proximity as a situational variable.
In the proximity variation, the teacher and the learner were in the same room. The obedience rate dropped from 65% to 40%. This can be explained by the idea that a large distance between the learner and the teacher can allow the teacher to psychologically distance themselves from the scenario so they are less aware of harm they are causing so are likely to be more obedient. When the distance is shorter, they are less obedient
Explain location as a situational variable
Milgram conducted a variation in a run down office block rather than a prestigious university. Obedience fell to 47.5%. This can be explained by the fact that the uni gave the study legitimacy and authority. PPS were more obedient in this location as they believed the experimenter was a legitimate authority figure and obedience was expected.
Explain uniform as a situational variable.
In the baseline study, the experimenter wore a lab coat as a symbol of their authority. In one variation, the experimenter was called away to answer a phone call so their role was taken by an ordinary member of the public (a confederate) who was in normal clothes. The obedience rate dropped to 20%. Uniforms ‘encourage’ obedience as they are recognised as a symbol of authority. Someone without uniform has less right to expect obedience
What is a strength of situational variables? (Research support)
One strength is that other studies have demonstrated the influence of situational variables on obedience. In a field experiment, 3 confederates wore different outfits and gave instructions to passers by to perform tasks such as picking up litter. The confederates were each in a different uniform, one in a milkman’s outfit, one in a security guards uniform and one in a jacket and tie. Researchers found that people were twice as likely to obey the confederate dressed as a security guard than the other two. This is a strength as it supports the view that a situational variable such as uniform does has a powerful effect on obedience.
What is a limitation of situational variables? (Demand characteristics)
One limitation is that pps may have been aware that the procedure was fake. Some psychologists have pointed out that the extra manipulation of variables make it even more likely that the pps were play acting. For example, an experimenter being replaced by a random member of the public is extremely unrealistic. This is a limitation as it is unclear whether the findings are genuinely due to obedience or because the pps saw through the deception and were responding to demand characteristics
What is a limitation of milgrams research? (Ethics)
One limitation of Milgrams research is that it suffers from Ethical issues. This is because pps were deceived as they thought that the assignment of roles was random and thought the shocks were real, therefore they couldn’t fully consent. Also, some psychologists have criticised Milgram as deception can have serious consequences, as some pps ended up with mental issues. This is a limitation because it suggests that Milgrams study may not of been worth it when looking at its ethical implications.
