Psychology Quiz - 27 September 2024
Stanley Milgram (1963) - Behavioral Study of Obedience
This study investigates the nature of obedience. Obedience can be defined as complying
to the demands of others, particularly those in positions of authority.
Milgram's intention in conducting his studies of obedience was to replicate the social
situation in Nazi Germany
Aim:
● Investigate what level of obedience would be shown when participants were told
by an authority figure to administer electric shocks to another person.
Method / Procedure:
- This is not strictly speaking an experiment.
* More accurately described as a type of controlled observation.
● Independent variable : Prods provided by the experimenter for the participant
to carry on.
● Dependent variable : The degree of obedience - how far up the shock scale the
participant went.
- Study collected both:
● Quantitative data : It measured the amount of volts given
● Qualitative data : Milgram observed the participants emotional responses and
interviewed the participants after the study.
- 40 males - between 20 and 50 years - obtained by responding to a newspaper
and direct mail - they were paid $4,50 for the participation.
Milgram created a phoney ‘shock generator’ - In the 1960’s looked very impressive and
realistic - 30 switches marked clearly in 15 volt increments from 15 to 450 volts.
- The experiment took place in a smart psychology laboratory in Yale University.
● Experimenter = 31 year old biology teacher - Jack Williams
● Victim = 47 year old accountant - Mr Wallace
One participant and one victim (confederate) were used in each trial.
- To justify the administration of electric shocks a cover story was used.
There was a general intro about the relation between punishment and learning.
- They were asked if they wanted to be the teacher or the learner.
The participant was asked to draw a slip of paper from the hat to determine which role
he would play.
*The draw was rigged so the participant was always the teacher.
Stanley Milgram (1963) - Behavioral Study of Obedience
This study investigates the nature of obedience. Obedience can be defined as complying
to the demands of others, particularly those in positions of authority.
Milgram's intention in conducting his studies of obedience was to replicate the social
situation in Nazi Germany
Aim:
● Investigate what level of obedience would be shown when participants were told
by an authority figure to administer electric shocks to another person.
Method / Procedure:
- This is not strictly speaking an experiment.
* More accurately described as a type of controlled observation.
● Independent variable : Prods provided by the experimenter for the participant
to carry on.
● Dependent variable : The degree of obedience - how far up the shock scale the
participant went.
- Study collected both:
● Quantitative data : It measured the amount of volts given
● Qualitative data : Milgram observed the participants emotional responses and
interviewed the participants after the study.
- 40 males - between 20 and 50 years - obtained by responding to a newspaper
and direct mail - they were paid $4,50 for the participation.
Milgram created a phoney ‘shock generator’ - In the 1960’s looked very impressive and
realistic - 30 switches marked clearly in 15 volt increments from 15 to 450 volts.
- The experiment took place in a smart psychology laboratory in Yale University.
● Experimenter = 31 year old biology teacher - Jack Williams
● Victim = 47 year old accountant - Mr Wallace
One participant and one victim (confederate) were used in each trial.
- To justify the administration of electric shocks a cover story was used.
There was a general intro about the relation between punishment and learning.
- They were asked if they wanted to be the teacher or the learner.
The participant was asked to draw a slip of paper from the hat to determine which role
he would play.
*The draw was rigged so the participant was always the teacher.
