Obedience investigated by Milgram

Question 1

what was the aims of milgrams study ?

Answer 1

• to test the ‘germans are different hypothesis’ which claimed that Germans are highly obedient and that Hitler could not have exterminated the jews without the co-operation of the Germans
• to see if an individual would obey the orders of an authority figure that incurred negative

Question 2

participants

Answer 2

40 american males
aged 20-50 years old

Question 3

How was obedience measured in Milgram’s study ?

Answer 3

• obedience was measured as the percentage of ps giving shocks to the maximum 450 V

Question 4

findings of milgram study
Quantitative
main version

Answer 4

Quantitative results=
- in the main version of experiment, obedience rate = 62.5% (25/40)

Question 5

what was the earlier remote victim version of Milgram’s study ?

Answer 5

• no pre-recorded responses
• but victim was pounding on the walls

Question 6

what was the obedience rate in the earlier remote victim version of Milgram’s study ?

Answer 6

• gained an obedience rate of 65% (26/40)
• and 100% of ps continued up to at least 300V

Question 7

Findings of milgrams study
qualitative ?

Answer 7

Qualitive results =
- many p’s showed distress such as twitching, sweating or giggling nervously , digging their nails into their flesh and verbally attacking the experimenter.
- 3p’s had uncontrollable seizures.
- some p’s showed little if any signs of discomfort, instead concentrated at the task

Question 8

methodological issues (6)

Answer 8

• internal validity
• external validity including
• androcentrism
• cultural bias
• historical validity
• ecological validity

Question 9

ethical issues (4)

Answer 9

• psychological harm
• deception/ informed consent
• right to withdraw
• inducement to take part