The Milgram Experiment

Question 1

Some Classic Experiments in Social Psychology

Answer 1

The Milgram Experiment: demonstrated obedience to authority

The Stanford Prison Experiment: demonstrates situational attribution of behavior

The Asch Effect: demonstrated normative influence on conformity

Sherif’s Experiment on Norm Crystallization: demonstrates informational influence on conformity

Question 2

The Milgram Experiment: Participants

Answer 2

• 40 males
• recruited through newspaper advertisements
• varying in age, occupation, education

Question 3

The Milgram Experiment: Procedure

Answer 3

• participants led to believe that learning could be improved by punishment
• role of teacher who punished learner (a confederate) with electric shocks (15 volts to 450 volts)
• experimenter sat by the teacher, and acted like a legitimate authority figure
• whenever teacher hesitated to administer shock, the experimenter ordered them to continue

Question 4

Family Influences on Obedience

Answer 4

• Most children from middle-class homes are encouraged to be curious, independent, question traditional values
• Children from economically-disadvantaged families are often taught to conform and obey authorities

Question 5

At 300-Volt Shock Level, Psychiatrists Predicted:

Answer 5

less than 4% of people would still be obedient

Question 6

Actual Results at 300-Volt Shock Level

Answer 6

87.5% were still obedient

Question 7

At 450-Volt Shock Level, Psychiatrists Predicted:

Answer 7

0.1% would blindly obey the authority

Question 8

Actual Results at 450-Volt Shock Level

Answer 8

65% blindly obeyed the authority

Question 9

Follow-Up Milgram Studies

Answer 9

attempted to vary situational conditions and measured their effects on obedience

Question 10

Situational Conditions that FAVORED Obedience:

Answer 10

• a peer administers shock (over 90% obey)
• the participant as bystanders (70% obey)

Question 11

Situational Conditions that have about the SAME Rate of Obedience:

Answer 11

• two authorities, one as victim (about 65% obey)
• women as participants (about 65% obey)

Question 12

Situational Conditions that REDUCED Obedience:

Answer 12

• learner demands to be shocked
• authority as victim, and ordinary man commanding
• two authorities, contradictory commands
• participants free to choose shock level

Question 13

Obedience Experiment in Everyday Setting

Answer 13

22 nurses asked by doctor to administer a dangerous dosage of a drug to a patient

Question 14

Obedience Experiment in Everyday Setting: Prediction

Answer 14

another 12 nurses were asked whether they would obey the order of the doctor if they were in this situation

10 said they wouldn’t

Question 15

Obedience Experiment in Everyday Setting: Actual Results

Answer 15

21/22 nurses followed the order and attempted to administer the drug

Question 16

Milgram Experiment: Take-Home Messages

Answer 16

what people say are not consistent with what they do

even though people say that they do not wants to hurt you, they will hurt your under situational forces