Miligram 1963- obedience

Question 1

What can obedience be defined as?

Answer 1

A form of social influence in which an individual follows a direct order
The person issuing the order is usually a figure of perceived authority, who has the right to punish when obedient behaviour is not forthcoming

Question 2

What was milgram interested in studying?

Answer 2

destructive obedience where orders are obeyed, even though the individual understands the negative consequences

Question 3

Aims of milligram’s study?

Answer 3

Test the Germans are different hypothesis which explaining obedience in terms of dispositional factors
-Argued germans had the german disposition causing their behaviour meaning they are more obedient to authority

Question 4

Aims of milligram’s study- Germans personality

Answer 4

Likely to be prejudiced against minority groups as a result of unconscious hostility arising from a harsh disciplined upbringing, displaced in groups e.g. black people, jews and gypsies

Question 5

Methodology of study- what study was used?

Answer 5

Conducted in a laboratory environment, but no iv and dv (if it was what he initially intended to do comparison of germans and americans he would have had an IV)
-Best way to describe this would be a controlled observation in a laboratory

Question 6

Methodology- number and make up of participants?

Answer 6

-40 males aged between 20-50 yrs old
-With a different range of jobs, education levels etc
-Paid $4.50 for taking part even if info withdrawn

Question 7

Methodology- sampling method?

Answer 7

Self selected

Question 8

Was theirs any experimental design?

Answer 8

None as theirs was only one condition

Question 9

Step 1 of milligram’s study- procedure?

Answer 9

P’s invited to the laboratory to take part in a ‘memory experiment’
Told that they would receive payment regardless of whether or not they stayed in the study

Question 10

Step 2 of milligram’s study- procedure?

Answer 10

Took place in yale university
The ‘experimenter’ was a 31 year old in a grey lab coat to greet them, and another ‘participant’ who was a 47 yr old a likable and well mannered man
Both men where confederates

Question 11

Step 3 of milligram’s study- procedure?

Answer 11

P’s drew slips of paper to decide who would play each role, it was rigged
Nieve p’s were teacher and confederated where p’s

Question 12

Step 4 of milligram’s study- procedure?

Answer 12

the ‘teacher’ (the naive participant) sees the confederate strapped into an electric chair with leather straps to prevent movement and electrode paste to avoid blistering, then is applied before electrode is placed on learners wrist
Teacher is then told that the electrode is linked to a shock generator in the adjoining room

Question 13

Step 5 of milligram’s study- procedure?

Answer 13

Teachers taken into the adjoininh room and is sat down infornt of the shock generator, machine has 30 switches on them with increased voltage betwween 15 and 450
For every 4 switches theirs shcok labled starting as sliht shcok to XXX
On the pressing each buzz is heard and the voltage meter is moves sand various relay clicks are heard

Question 14

Step 6 of milligram’s study- procedure?

Answer 14

Experimenter then uses the third switch on the shock generator (marker 45 volts) to give to the teacher as a sample shock

Question 15

Step 7 of milligram’s study- procedure?

Answer 15

A learning task is presented- so the researcher was presented with 2 words and later asked to remember the second word that corresponds with the first

Question 16

Step 8 of milligram’s study- procedure?

Answer 16

If the teacher hesitates about delivering the shocks or asks for guidance, the experimenter gives them a sequence of 4 verbal prods such as
-please continue
-the experiment requires you to continue
-its absolutely essential you continue
-you have no choice you must go on

Question 17

Step 9 of milligram’s study- procedure?

Answer 17

Milligram wanted to know if the teachers would shock the lerners, would the teacher continue to administer the shocks?
Highest level of shock was recorded allowing milligram to put a quantitative value on obedience, also making detailed observations of teachers behaviour

Question 18

Step 10 of milligram’s study- procedure?

Answer 18

After the researcher, teachers are thoroughly debriefed about the experimenter reunites the teacher and learner
They are then interviewed about their experience in the procedure

Question 19

Predictive Findings of milgrams study?

Answer 19

Mil gram discussed experiment with both a group of psychology majors and colleagues
Asked to estimates how many p’s would administer the full 450 volts
Estimated 0 to 3%

Question 20

Quantitative data of milgrams findings?

Answer 20

All p’s gave a minimum of 300 volts- point where ps protested
-12.5% went no further
-65% administered full 450V
-Ps refused to shock between 300v and 450v

Question 21

What were those who obeyed called?

Answer 21

Obedient subjects

Question 22

What are those who disobeyed called?

Answer 22

defiant subjects

Question 23

Qualitative data findings- ps behaviour?

Answer 23

-‘many ps showed signs of nervousness, when powerful shocks administered, p’s observed sweat, tremble, stutter, bit lips, groans and dig fingernails into flesh
-Nervous lauging fits 40 subjects showed this
-Uncontrollable seizures for 3 subjects
Observed seizures so violently convulsive that it was necessary to halt experiment, 46 ur old salesman was embarrassed by his untoward and uncontrollable behaviour

Question 24

Finding quotes from p’s?

Answer 24

‘I think he’s trying to communicate, he’s knocking. Wel it’s not fair to shock the guy, these are all terrific volts, i don’t think it’s humane, we can’t go on with this; no thsi isn’t right. It’s a hell of an experiment. The guys is suffering in there. Nk i don’t want to go on. This is crazy’ (didn’t administer any shocks)
-‘he’s banging in there, i’m going to chicken out, i’d like to continue, but i can’t do that to a man, i’m sorry, u can’t do that to a man. I’ll hurt his head. You take your check, No really i couldn’t do it’ -subject gave no more shocks

Question 25

Overall behaviour of p’s findings?

Answer 25

-One of the defied subjects were heciky agitated and angry, others just got up and walked away
-This who stayed to the end sites with relief that it was over, nervously fumbled some cigarettes or rubbed their eyes. Some shook their heads in regret. Others remained calm through the whole experiment and only displayed minimal signs of tension

Question 26

Overall conclusions of milgrams study?

Answer 26

-Ordinary people are shockingly obedient to destructive orders
-In certain situations, people would kill a stranger
-The situation caused people to be highly obedient

Question 27

Factors contributing to obedience?

Answer 27

-Locations
-Perception of legitimate authority
-Obligation to participate to to volunteering
-Inability to discuss with others during the experiment
-Conflict between two tendencies: not to harm someone, and to obey authority

Question 28

Methodology factors of milgram?

Answer 28

Experimental (internal) validity
Ecological (external) validity
Sample (population validity)

Question 29

Ethical factors of milgram?

Answer 29

Protection from harm
Right to withdrawal

Question 30

SEECW paragraph- experimental (internal) validity?

Answer 30

S-One limitation of Milgram’s study is that it lacks internal validity
E- The research assumes that the p’s believed they were giving real shocks to the learners
E- This is unlikely as it would seem unreasonable to administer fatal 450 volts shocks just because the learner is not an actor, it would ultimately been unethical to do this

Question 31

SEEW paragraph- ecological (external) validity?

Answer 31

S- One limitations is that Milgram’s study lacks ecological validity
E- The researcher took place in a lab environment
E- In real life, obediences isn’t as overt as this, as p’s were being tasked to shocks people in an environment were isn’t natural
W- Therefore, it isn’t valid as it does not represent p’s natural environment

Question 32

SEECW paragraph- population validity sample?

Answer 32

S- One limitation is that Milgram’s study lacks population validty
E- P’s were all men and p’s were also from a volenteer sample
E- This can’t be genralised to the population as it represents only men (adrocentric) meaning just beacuse it related to men and dosent mean it relates to women and children
Aswell its a self selected sample, meaning only motivates p’s would do this
C- However, in later study, Milgram found the same rate of obedience in famales as males, although women reported more stress
W- Therefore, it isnt a valid study and is a weekness beacause it cant be genralised to the population

Question 33

SEECW paragraph- ethical?

Answer 33

S- One limitation is that mailgrams study was unethical
E-protection from harm and right to withdrawal
E- ‘Full blown uncontrollable seizures’
‘You have no other choice the experimenter required you to continue’
C- However, 84% of p’s reported they were glad to have control
W- Therefore does the harm outweigh the scientific benefit