Social Psychology

Question 1

Milgram’s Variation 7 Procedure

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

Milgram’s Variation 7 Results

Answer 2

The results fell from 65% to 22.5%. Participants were able to lie about increasing the shocks and continued to give low level shocks.

Question 3

Milgram’s Variation 7 Conclusion

Answer 3

This variation shows that the proximity to an authority figure has an impact on obedience.

Question 4

Milgram’s Variation 10 Procedure

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

Milgram’s Variation 10 Results

Answer 5

48% of participants still went up to 450V. Participants questioned the credentials of the company.

Question 6

Milgram’s Variation 10 Conclusion

Answer 6

This variation shows that perceived authority has an impact on obedience.

Question 7

Milgram’s Variation 13 Procedure

Answer 7

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.

Question 8

Milgram’s Variation 13 Results

Answer 8

Only a 20% obedience level.

Question 9

Evaluation of Milgram’s Studies (Strengths)

Answer 9

• 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.

Question 10

Evaluation of Milgram’s Study (Limitations)

Answer 10

• 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.

Question 11

What is an autonomous state?

Answer 11

In the autonomous state people use their free will and feel personal responsibility for their actions

Question 12

What is moral strain?

Answer 12

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

Question 13

What is agentic shift?

Answer 13

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.

Question 14

What is the agentic state?

Answer 14

In the agentic state we are following the orders of authority figures and do not take responsibility for our own actions.

Question 15

Agency theory ao3

Answer 15

Milgrams original study-65% went to 450v
Criticism- the concept of agency and autonomy is hard to define

Question 16

Define divisional effect

Answer 16

the more targets there are to impact the harder it is for the source as their strength is divided by the number of targets

Question 17

Define source

Answer 17

person giving the order or instructions

Question 18

Define target

Answer 18

person being acted upon/following the order

Question 19

Define strength

Answer 19

how much power you perceive the person influencing you to have

Question 20

Define number

Answer 20

more sources there are the more influential they are

Question 21

Define immediacy

Answer 21

how close a person is or how recently the order was given

Question 22

Define psychosocial law

Answer 22

each new person increases the impact but has less impact than the person before

Question 23

Define multiplication effect

Answer 23

the impact of S,I and N when multiplied is greater than each individual element

Question 24

What is the formula for Impact theory?

Answer 24

I=f(SIN)

Question 25

Impact theory AO3

Answer 25

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.

Question 26

Aim of the social practical

Answer 26

to study how obedience differs between males and females

Question 27

Method of the social practical

Answer 27

-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

Question 28

Social practical results (females)

Answer 28

Females
-mean:11
-median:11
-mode:11,12
-range:6
-standard deviation: 1.63

Question 29

Social practical results (males)

Answer 29

Males
-mean:10.23
-median: 10
-mode:11
-range:7
-standard deviation: 1.69

Question 30

Qualitative conclusions

Answer 30

-females follow orders more thoroughly
-context is important for obedience
-society influences obedience

Question 31

Define inter group conflict

Answer 31

states that when two or more groups seeking the same limited resources this will lead to conflict and discrimination between the groups

Question 32

Define zero sum game

Answer 32

there can only be one winner which increases levels of prejudice

Question 33

Define superordinate goals

Answer 33

mutually desirable goals that cannot be obtained without the participation of two or more groups

Question 34

What does realistic conflict theory assume?

Answer 34

people are selfish and will seek to maximise their own rewards

Question 35

Which study supports realistic conflict theory?

Answer 35

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.

Question 36

How is realistic conflict theory useful?

Answer 36

explains prejudice between groups such as Israel and Palestine.Not only explains the cause of prejudice but also how to solve it

Question 37

Weaknesses of Realistic conflict theory

Answer 37

• boys were hostile in Sherifs study before competition was introduced. social identity theory is a better explanation
•individual differences aren’t accounted for