Social Psychology Flashcards
Milgram’s Variation 7 Procedure
The procedure was the same aside from the location of the experimenter. Instead of being given verbal prods the participants would have to telephone the experimenter if they wanted to leave the study.
Milgram’s Variation 7 Results
The results fell from 65% to 22.5%. Participants were able to lie about increasing the shocks and continued to give low level shocks.
Milgram’s Variation 7 Conclusion
This variation shows that the proximity to an authority figure has an impact on obedience.
Milgram’s Variation 10 Procedure
The procedure remained the same but the experiment was moved from Yale to a small commercial office in Bridgeport. It was conducted in a run down commercial building with 3 sparsely furnished rooms.
Milgram’s Variation 10 Results
48% of participants still went up to 450V. Participants questioned the credentials of the company.
Milgram’s Variation 10 Conclusion
This variation shows that perceived authority has an impact on obedience.
Milgram’s Variation 13 Procedure
In this variation, the main experimenter who was sitting in the room with the participant got called away for a phone call during the experiment. When he was gone, another participant (actually a confederate) took his role as the experimenter. This “participant” was not initially introduced to the actual participant as the experimenter, nor was he wearing a lab coat.
Milgram’s Variation 13 Results
Only a 20% obedience level.
Evaluation of Milgram’s Studies (Strengths)
- standardised procedures
*high amount of controls (lab experiment, increased validity)
*Men from varying jobs and backgrounds increases generalisability.
*less chance of demand characteristics as the ppts don’t know the study is about obedience.
Evaluation of Milgram’s Study (Limitations)
- No informed consent
*Ppts were deceived - Issues with withdrawal due to the 4 verbal prods
*Lacks ecological validity and mundane realism
*Very ungeneralizable due to sample being all American men and self-selected.
What is an autonomous state?
In the autonomous state people use their free will and feel personal responsibility for their actions
What is moral strain?
Moral strain occurs when we are asked to do something we view as morally wrong by an authority figure. It could be described as guilt
What is agentic shift?
Agentic shift occurs if the authority figure is legitimate or the person knows they will take the blame for any consequences. Agentic shifts stop the feeling of moral strain.
What is the agentic state?
In the agentic state we are following the orders of authority figures and do not take responsibility for our own actions.
Agency theory ao3
Milgrams original study-65% went to 450v
Criticism- the concept of agency and autonomy is hard to define
Define divisional effect
the more targets there are to impact the harder it is for the source as their strength is divided by the number of targets
Define source
person giving the order or instructions
Define target
person being acted upon/following the order
Define strength
how much power you perceive the person influencing you to have
Define number
more sources there are the more influential they are
Define immediacy
how close a person is or how recently the order was given
Define psychosocial law
each new person increases the impact but has less impact than the person before
Define multiplication effect
the impact of S,I and N when multiplied is greater than each individual element
What is the formula for Impact theory?
I=f(SIN)
Impact theory AO3
The use of a mathematical formula means the results are objective and valid. It allows predictions to be made about levels of impact on society, as long as we can measure the immediacy and size of the group.
It is generalisable to all cultures as it highlights it is an idea present in all groups.
It can be used to explain the results of Milgram’s two peers rebel study and the variation with two teachers.
Disadvantages
It is such a complex idea that involves so many factors that it i shard to believe it can be reduced to a mathematical formula.
It doesn’t look at the recipricol effect, as it is a static theory.
It doesn’t look at individual differences (loci etc.)
It looks at social impact in general and not just at obedience, s can explain why others effect obedience, but not why situation does.
Obedience is the behaviour of an individual in response to another, so SIT only works in group situations.
Aim of the social practical
to study how obedience differs between males and females
Method of the social practical
-collect an opportunity sample to answer a short survey
-instruct ppts to answer honestly and that they have 10 minutes to complete the survey
-collect results from ppts and use the data from closed questions to form graphs
Social practical results (females)
Females
-mean:11
-median:11
-mode:11,12
-range:6
-standard deviation: 1.63
Social practical results (males)
Males
-mean:10.23
-median: 10
-mode:11
-range:7
-standard deviation: 1.69
Qualitative conclusions
-females follow orders more thoroughly
-context is important for obedience
-society influences obedience
Define inter group conflict
states that when two or more groups seeking the same limited resources this will lead to conflict and discrimination between the groups
Define zero sum game
there can only be one winner which increases levels of prejudice
Define superordinate goals
mutually desirable goals that cannot be obtained without the participation of two or more groups
What does realistic conflict theory assume?
people are selfish and will seek to maximise their own rewards
Which study supports realistic conflict theory?
Sherifs study of prejudice- competition for resources increased inter group conflict. Provides evidence for superordinate goals as when the boys were brought together to solve a common goal it reduced prejudice.
How is realistic conflict theory useful?
explains prejudice between groups such as Israel and Palestine.Not only explains the cause of prejudice but also how to solve it
Weaknesses of Realistic conflict theory
• boys were hostile in Sherifs study before competition was introduced. social identity theory is a better explanation
•individual differences aren’t accounted for
