Obedience Flashcards
What is Obedience? and how does it differ to conformity
obedience involves performing an action under the orders of an authority figure - whereas conformity involves altering behaviors to go along with a group
What are the factors affecting obedience?
proximity to the authority figure, prestige of the authority figure,deindividuation
What is proximity to the authority figure and how does it influence obedience?
how close an individual is to the authority figure, it is easier to resist orders if they are not close by, Milgram’s experiment obedience levels reduced 20.5% when ordered by telephone
What is prestige of the authority figure and how does it influence obedience?
Perceived status of clothing, Higher levels of such (e.g. lab coat/uniform) increases obedience as represents law/expertise
What is deindividuation and how does it influence obedience?
Happens when one is less aware of their internal standards of behaviour likely due to anonymity, leading to more likely impulsive behaviour and decreased self-evaluation and recognition to social norms, leading to higher levels of obedience in the group
What are the main 3 factors influencing severe deindividuation?
- Group contagion - the spread of irrational behaviours resulting from witnessing each other commit uninhibited acts.
- Anonymity - where group members are hidden via masks/disguises.
- Arousal - catalyst drives the group to act via their provoked emotion
When does deindividuation become dangerous? and how can it be combated?
When engaged behaviour becomes anti-social such as looting, rioting or trolling/cyberbullying. Can be combated when maintaining personal awareness, being aware of your impact on society and emotional corruption from others.
What experimental design has been used to study obedience? and what was its methodology?
The Milgram Experiment. Participants (40men aged 20-50) were told they were taking part in a ‘learning experiment’ observing the effects of punishments. Participants were given a ‘teacher’ role and ordered to shock the ‘student’ in increasing volts when given an incorrect answer.
What was the aim and purpose of The Milgram Experiment?
Aim was to see how obedient people would be in a situation where obeying orders would break their moral code and harm an innocent person. Purpose was to understand why germans obeyed Hitler to exterminate Jews. Wanted to see if high obedience was universal.
What was the conclusion of Milgrams Obedience Experiment? & what does it say about crimes?
that people have a strong tendency to obey orders even if it goes against their morals. Therefore crimes against humanity may be the outcome of situational (environmental) rather than dispositional (internal/personal) factors. When in presence of an authority figure, an individual capacity to make independent decisions is suspended.
What were Milgram’s findings regarding cultural and individual differences?
replications of the experiment identified that some countries are more likely to be obedient than others (e.g. aus = 28 & germany = 85 obedience score) therefore experiment holds hold cultural bias. Also identified that both males and females obeyed to commands but women reported more stress.
What were the 3 ethical issues associated with Milgram’s research?
- Psychological harm - participants were put under emotional strain causing psychological damage including digging nails in discomfort, visibly sweating and trembling with 3 recorded seizures.
- Interfering with right to withdraw - participants were informed of their right to withdraw, however when they indicated so, researchers firmly coerced to continue.
- Deception -participants were decieved that they had a chance of being teacher or learner, but would always be teacher. They also believed that they were administrating real electronic shocks to a person.
What are the 2 advantages of The Milgram Experiment?
excellent reliability - similar results gained with 2 repeats & can be replicated
high internal validity - high level of control, all participants experienced the same procedure with the same equipment
What are the disadvantages of The Milgram Experiment?
poor external validity - only 40 men, not representative of all men and females, only from one area so holds cultural bias and sample not generalisbale
