obediance Flashcards
definition
this is a type of social influence where somebody acts in response to a direct order from a figure with perceived authority. The person who receives the order may also respond in a way they would have not done without the order.
Aim
To investigate if individuals would obey the orders of an authority figure even if this led to a negative consequence
Method
Laboratory experiment at Yale University
Sample
40 American males aged 20-50
Procedure
Milgram placed an advert in a newspaper seeking volunteers for an experiment researching memory on lerning and was paid $4.50
Once the ppts arrived at the university they were introduced to another ppts. They drew lots which were rigged and the real ppts was assigned the role of the teacher and the confederate was always the leaner.
The teachers job was to administrate a learning task and deliver electric shocks to the learner if the leaner got the question wrong
The shocks began at 15 volts and increased to a maximum of 450 volts
The experimenter used prompts of the teacher refused
- please continue
- the experiment requires you to continue
- it is absolutely essential that you continue
- you have no other choice you must go in
Findings
All ppts went to at least 300 volts with only 12.5% stopping at that point. 65% of ppts continues to the maximum 450 volts showing high levels of obedience
Conclusion
Ordinary people are obedient to authority when asked to behave in an inhumane way. It is not necessary evil people who commit evil crimes but ordinary people who are just obeying orders
situational variables affecting conformity
proximity, location and uniform
Proximity
proximity is how far or near the ppts is to the victim or experimenter.
- in milgram original experiment the teacher could not see the learner only hear tyem and obedience was 65%. when both the teacher and learner were in the same room obedience fell to 40%. This was becauae the teacher could directly see how their behaviour was having an unpleasant consequence on the learner.
