Social Influence: Explanations for Obedience Flashcards
What is context of Milgrams research?
The defence of Eichamann of ‘just obeying orders’ made him wonder how far people will go in terms of obedience.
What was the aim of Milgrams research?
Will everyday people obey an authority figure even if it involves causing harm to another human.
What method did Milgram use?
- 40 male volunteers (told it was a study on memory)
- Confederate always ended up as ‘learner’
- Started at 15 volts and rose 30 levels
- At 300V, learner pounded on wall and gave no more responses
What were the results of Milgrams study?
- Nobody stopped below 300V (5 stopped at 300V)
- 65% continued to 450V
- Showed signs of extreme tension
What was conclusion of Milgram’s study?
People would obey instructions from those who they saw as legitimate authority figures, even if the instructions they received were to do something to harm another person.
What are ethical issues with Milgrams research?
- Lack of informed consent
- Deception
- Lack of right to withdraw
What are the two explanations for obedience?
- Agentic state
- legitimacy of authority
How do people act in an agentic state?
- People perceive themselves as being under the control of others.
- Believe they are agents of others who they perceive as being responsible for the consequences.
How does agentic state link to Milgrams experiment?
When told full responsibility is with the experimenter, those inflicting the shock continued.
How does legitimate authority figures affect obedience?
We generally feel obliged to obey them as we trust their credentials and in most cases assume they are right.
What study shows different obedience levels in cultures?
Kilham & Mann (Milgrams replication)
-Germany had high levels
What study looks into obedience in real life?
Hofling: Obedience in nurses.
What are situational variables of obedience?
Location
Proximity
Uniform
