Social Psychology- Obedience: Milgram's variation studies

Question 1

What is Milgram’s new baseline?

Answer 1

Milgram set out to investigate the situational factors that may have encouraged obedience. To do this he came up with new standardised procedures in order to establish a new baseline. To do this, Milgram decided to set up his new study in a laboratory described in his own words to be ‘less posh’ and the learner was described to have a ‘mild heart condition’ before the study began. During the study, the participant teacher was able to hear the learners responses, although these were pre-recorded. Despite the change of the set up, the levels of obedience stayed the same. This being with 65% of participants staying completely obedient. The following variations were tested using 40 males.