Obedience: Milgram's Study

Question 1

What was the aim of Milgram’s study?

Answer 1

To investigate what caused individuals to conform to a perceived authority figure.

Question 2

What procedures were involved?

Answer 2

• recruited 40 male American ppts through advertisement, told they would be paid
• told it was a study on learning and memory
• took place in a lab
• draw was rigged so Mr Wallace was always the learner and ppt, the teacher.

Question 3

How was the experiment conducted?

Answer 3

• Mr Wallace strapped to chair, wired with electrodes
• learner had to recall a pair of words
• 4 verbal prods, noises for each shock level (15-450 volts)

Question 4

What were the findings of Milgram’s study? (5)

Answer 4

• 100% went up to 300 volts
• 12.5% stopped at 300 volts
• 65% went up to 450 volts
• ppts verbally protested & showed great distress (sweating, seizures)
• 84% glad to participate

Question 5

Evaluate Milgram’s research.

Answer 5

• lack of informed consent
  demand characteristics may have jeopardised the validity of study
• right to withdraw