Obedience to Authority Flashcards
What was Stanley Milgrim’s experiment?
The participants were told that every time the person on both side of the wall got an answer wrong, they had to provide him with a shock. These shocks went up in intensity every time. What they did not know was there was no actual person behind the wall, it was a recording of their voice yelling out in pain. The experiment was to see how far the participant would go. If they wanted to stop, the experimenter would say something like it is crucial for you to continue this experiement
What is obedience to authority?
Compliance, even if the person does not inwardly support the behaviour, because an authority figure tells them to.
What is the Stanford Prison Experiment?
In 1971, Zimbardo conducted an experiment where he had some young people perform as the guards, and some as the prisoners, and he wanted to see how they would change due to the situation.
What was some criticism of the Stanford prison experiment?
- Zimbardo may have deliberately encouraged more aggressive behaviour from the guards.
- The guards orientation session created an us versus them mentality
3.Participants were recruited via newspaper ads
What is the bystander effect?
The phenomenon is that if there are more people around, there is less of a chance that someone will help you because they assume someone else will do something.
What is the Kitty Genovese case?
In 1964, a girl named Kitty was murdered outside her apartment, there were 38 witnesses and no one called 911.
What is the Darley and Latane study? (1968)
Students in a waiting room filling out surveys
Smoke began pouring out into the room from under a door
Condition 1: The participant was by themself
75% immediately reported the smoke
Condition 2: Participant in room with actors who were told not to react
They were just supposed to say they didnt know what was going on
Only 10% only went to seek help
what are some conditions under which people are more likely to help?
- They share a common fate
Same church, school - Directly confronted with the victim
- The situation is clearly defined as an emergency
- They are certain they can do something useful
