Milgrams study

Question 1

Milgrams study: Aim

Answer 1

investigate whether capacity to harm others is due to individual character or the situation they are in.

Question 2

Milgrams study : Sample

Answer 2

• self selecting sample
• 40 males
• aged 20-50
• all responded to newspaper advert to participate in study about punishment and learning
• all participants paid $4.50
• tested individually

Question 3

Milgrams study : Procedure

Answer 3

• Yale university
• introduced to Mr Wallace
• took part in fixed draw to find who was going to be teacher and learner
• experimenter wore grey lab coat
• learn and repeat word pairs
• electric shock from 15- 450 volts was administered for incorrect answers
• labels describing shock from ‘slight shock’ to danger- severe shock’
• when switch pressed, lights illuminated
• participants couldn’t see learner
• standardised prods eg ‘ please continue’

Question 4

Milgrams study : Results

Answer 4

quantitative results: 100% participants administered electric shock up to 300v. 65% continued to obey orders upto 450v
Qualitative results : signs of extreme tension eg sweat, tremble, bite their lips. nervous laughing fits in 14 participants

Question 5

Milgrams study: Conclusion

Answer 5

Obedience is a product of what situation people are in, rather than personal characteristics

Question 6

Experiment 7 : Telephonic instructions

Answer 6

Aim: physical proximity of experimenter had an effect
procedure : 40 m participants over phone after giving instructions at start
results: Obedience levels dropped to 22.5% compared to 65% in original study.

Question 7

Experiment 10: Run down office block

Answer 7

Aim: study in run down office, less prestigious setting
Procedure : 40 m, paid for time, experimenter not wearing lab coat
Results : Obedience levels dropped to 47.5% compared to 65%

Question 8

Experiment 13 : Ordinary man gives orders

Answer 8

Aim: whether obedience levels change if ordinary man gives orderes
Procedure : participant was given role of teacher and told to deliver electric shocks, not specified voltage, experimenter received phone call and left, ordinary clothes worn by experimenter
Results : Obedience levels dropped to 20% from 65% in original study