Social - Obedience Flashcards

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1
Q

What was Milgram’s aim?

A

To investigate whether ordinary people will obey a legitimate authority even when required to injure another person

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2
Q

What was the procedure of Milgram’s experiment ?

A

40 male volunteers took part in what they thought was a study into memory at Yale. Each ppt was told that they were chosen to be the teacher and a confederate the learner.
They had to administer electric shocks to the learner in another room if they made a mistake in a word pairing task. Each mistake the shocks increased by 15 volts.
First verbal protest from learner was at 300V and 315V where the learner pounded on the wall - then gave no further answers
The experiment continued until the teacher refused to continue or until 450V (XXX)

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3
Q

What were Milgram’s results?

A

Percentage that continued to 300V = 100%

Percentage that continued to 450V (XXX) = 65%

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4
Q

What were the ppts reactions?

A

They found it very stressful, they were observed to sweat, tremble, stutter, dig their fingers into their flesh and a regular occurrence was nervous laughing fits

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5
Q

What was Milgram’s conclusion to the ppts signs of distress?

A

It was the power of the authoritative figure, their behaviour exemplified the psychological concept of obedience

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6
Q

Explain the changes in results when there where different conditions - Milgram

A

Shift of setting - moved to a set of run down offices - 47.5% went to 450V
Proximity - learner moved to the same room - 40% went to 450V
Absent experimenter - the experimenter left and gave instructions over telephone - 20% went to 450V
Social support - other ppts (confederates) in the room as teachers and refused to obey quite quickly - 10% went to 450V

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7
Q

Explain the ethical issue of Informed Consent?

A

Whenever possible ppts should be volunteers with full knowledge of what the study is about

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8
Q

Explain the ethical issue of Deception?

A

Intentionally deceiving ppts about the purpose or nature of study should be avoided. Information should only be withheld if it is crucial for the study - if used it needs to be disclosed ASAP

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9
Q

Explain the ethical issue of Right to Withdraw?

A

Ppts should be aware that they have the right to withdraw at any time without needing reason - removal of data as well

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10
Q

Explain the ethical issue of Protection from Harm?

A

The researchers are responsible for the safety and psychological well being of their ppts - risk of harm should be no greater than everyday life

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11
Q

Explain the ethical issue of Debriefing?

A

Ppts should be debriefed after the study, given the information about the findings of the study

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12
Q

Explain Hofling et al’s experiment?

A

22 nurses 22 hospitals all working on their own in a ward on a night shift.
Receive a phone call from a doctor telling them to administer 20milligrams of an unknown drug to a patient on their ward.
If they did this they would be breaking several hospital rules - excessive dose of unknown medication, instructions from an unknown doctor, acting without signed consent.

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13
Q

State the results from Hofling’s experiment?

A

21/22 nurses followed the orders and started to administer the medication
11/22 said they didn’t realise it was an overdose
Some prior to experiment filled out questionnaire on what they would do in this situation and 21/22 said they wouldn’t administer the drug

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14
Q

Evaluate the internal validity of Hofling’s experiment?

A

Against moral conscience - they knew it would be dangerous but they naturally obeyed the doctor

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15
Q

Evaluate the ecological validity of Hofling’s experiment?

A

Everyday life activity

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16
Q

Evaluate the ethical issues of Hofling’s experiment?

A

They did stop the nurses prior to administering the drug

Nurse may experience high levels of guilt or trust issues after

17
Q

Explain the Bickman experiment?

A

He asked passers by to pick up rubbish on the other side of bus stop or lend money to stranger - half of the time dressed as street clothes other half = uniform.
92% comply to lend money when uniformed
49% when wearing street clothing o

18
Q

Explain the Bushman experiment?

A

Female confederate in uniform or smart clothing - asked passers by to give money to a motorist at a parking meter.
70% complied when uniformed
58% complied in smart clothing

19
Q

Explain Legitimate authority?

A

Feel obliged to follow orders from authority - sense of respect - obey them even when immoral

20
Q

Explain Gradual Commitment?

A

Once people comply with trivial or simple things they find it harder to refuse afterwards - gradually administering higher shocks - less aware of danger

21
Q

Explain Agentic Shift?

A

Seeing themselves as an agent of other people therefore not responsible

Autonomous - individual behaving voluntarily - aware of consequences

22
Q

Explain Buffers?

A

Protect people from confronting the consequences of their actions - reducing strain