Obedience: Milgram's baseline study

Question 1

Evaluate Milgram’s baseline study

3

Answer 1

^Int reliability, standardised procedure. 2 actors same actors always, verbal prods tightly scripted, delivered in same order/tone of voice. Study = replicable

Tasks = artificial, >int validity. Holland argued ppt behaved as guessed it wasn’t real shocks, went along w it (exprmtr = >concern for learner). Perry found unseen film footage = ppt suspicious of authenticity of shock machine

Tarnow says first officers fail to challenge errors made by captain (LAF) even when putting others at risk. Training first officers to challenge authority of pilot, prevent 20% plane crashes

Question 2

What was the aim of Milgram’s study?

1

Answer 2

• Understand behaviour of Germans who followed orders to kill +10mill in holocaust without moral strain

Question 3

What was the procedure of Milgram’s study?

5

Answer 3

• 40 men, aged 20-50yrs through local news paper
• Offered $4.50
• Ppt always ‘teacher’ - told to give ‘learner’ electric shock every mistake on word recall task (^15v)
• If teacher protested, exprmtr used verbal prompts to urge them to continue ‘Please continue’
• Ppt protested after 4th prod = leave, max shock delivered recorded

Question 4

What did Milgram find?

3

Answer 4

• 65% of sample administered full 450v shock
• 100% continued to 300v
• 3 ppt = uncontrollable seizures (ppt tremble, bite lips)

Question 5

What did Milgram conclude?

1

Answer 5

• Factors (perceived competence, ppt was somehow advancing science) explain obedience