Social - Obedience Flashcards
What was Milgram’s aim?
To investigate whether ordinary people will obey a legitimate authority even when required to injure another person
What was the procedure of Milgram’s experiment ?
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)
What were Milgram’s results?
Percentage that continued to 300V = 100%
Percentage that continued to 450V (XXX) = 65%
What were the ppts reactions?
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
What was Milgram’s conclusion to the ppts signs of distress?
It was the power of the authoritative figure, their behaviour exemplified the psychological concept of obedience
Explain the changes in results when there where different conditions - Milgram
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
Explain the ethical issue of Informed Consent?
Whenever possible ppts should be volunteers with full knowledge of what the study is about
Explain the ethical issue of Deception?
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
Explain the ethical issue of Right to Withdraw?
Ppts should be aware that they have the right to withdraw at any time without needing reason - removal of data as well
Explain the ethical issue of Protection from Harm?
The researchers are responsible for the safety and psychological well being of their ppts - risk of harm should be no greater than everyday life
Explain the ethical issue of Debriefing?
Ppts should be debriefed after the study, given the information about the findings of the study
Explain Hofling et al’s experiment?
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.
State the results from Hofling’s experiment?
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
Evaluate the internal validity of Hofling’s experiment?
Against moral conscience - they knew it would be dangerous but they naturally obeyed the doctor
Evaluate the ecological validity of Hofling’s experiment?
Everyday life activity
Evaluate the ethical issues of Hofling’s experiment?
They did stop the nurses prior to administering the drug
Nurse may experience high levels of guilt or trust issues after
Explain the Bickman experiment?
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
Explain the Bushman experiment?
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
Explain Legitimate authority?
Feel obliged to follow orders from authority - sense of respect - obey them even when immoral
Explain Gradual Commitment?
Once people comply with trivial or simple things they find it harder to refuse afterwards - gradually administering higher shocks - less aware of danger
Explain Agentic Shift?
Seeing themselves as an agent of other people therefore not responsible
Autonomous - individual behaving voluntarily - aware of consequences
Explain Buffers?
Protect people from confronting the consequences of their actions - reducing strain
