Variables affecting Obedience Flashcards
Who conducted the obedience study in 1963?
Milgram
What was the aim of Milgram’s study?
To observe whether people would obey a figure of authority when told to harm another person.
How many participants were involved in Milgram’s study?
40 male volunteers.
What roles were assigned to the participants in Milgram’s study?
One participant was the ‘teacher’ and a confederate was the ‘learner’.
What was the range of electric shocks administered in the study?
From 300V to 450V, with 330V marked as ‘lethal’.
What percentage of participants went up to 450V?
65% of participants.
What factor increased obedience in Milgram’s study?
Proximity of the experimenter.
What was the obedience rate when the experimenter was in the same room?
62.5%.
How did location affect obedience in Milgram’s study?
Obedience was higher at a prestigious university like Stanford.
How did the experimenter’s uniform affect obedience?
Participants obeyed more when the experimenter wore a lab coat.
What was a strength of Milgram’s study regarding debriefing?
Participants were thoroughly debriefed on the real aims of the study.
What percentage of participants felt glad to be part of the study in a follow-up?
84%.
What real-life application does Milgram’s research suggest?
It highlights the dangers of obedience to destructive authority figures.
What did Gina Perry find regarding participants’ beliefs about the shocks?
70% of participants believed the shocks were real.
What was a weakness of Milgram’s study related to ethical issues?
There was deception, and informed consent could not be obtained.
What psychological harm did participants experience during the study?
Signs of psychological and physiological distress such as trembling and sweating.
What issue does Milgram’s findings raise regarding moral responsibility?
It suggests that individuals may be excused for harmful actions due to situational pressures.
What was a limitation of internal validity in Milgram’s study?
Participants may have trusted that nothing serious would happen to the confederate.
What was a limitation regarding ecological validity in Milgram’s study?
The tasks given to participants are not reflective of real-life situations.
