Social Influence - Milgram's research into obedience Flashcards
1
Q
What was the aim of Milgram’s study?
A
To find out whether participants would obey to unjust orders and Milgram wanted to discover what factors in a situation led people to obey.
2
Q
Explain the procedure
A
- Lab experiment
- 40 American male volunteers
- They were decieved into thinking the study was on learning but it was actually testing obedience
- Ps were always assigned the role of the teacher
- Shown a generator with 30 switches that went upto 450V
- It was actually a fake generator and no shocks were given during the study - the P was made to believe they were
- If the learner, who was a confederate, answered incorrectly they would have to administer a shock and they answered through a light system (had to memorise a set of words)
- If Ps protested against the shocks, the researcher would encourage them to continue - very hard for Ps to withdraw from study
3
Q
Explain the findings of Milgram’s study
A
Quantitative findings:
* All Ps went to 300V on the generator
* 65% of Ps went to the end of the generator and administered 450V
Qualitative findings:
* Most Ps found procedure very stressful and wanted to stop, 3 had seizures
* Although Ps disagreed verbally, they continued to obey the researcher and administer shocks
4
Q
Conclusion of Milgram’s study
A
- Under certain circumstances most people will obey orders
- When people are thought to have a lower position in hierarchy, they lose feelings of empathy and are more inclined to obedience
- Crimes such as murder or torture of innocent people could be explained by situational factors
