Khan Academy p 181-190 Milgram Experiment Analysis

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Questions and Answers

What percentage did compliance drop to when the learner claimed to have heart conditions?

50%

63% (correct)

75%

80%

What is considered the chief finding of the Milgram experiment?

Experiments on humans are always deemed ethical.

Most people refuse to follow unethical orders.

Ordinary people can inflict pain when ordered by an authority figure. (correct)

Authority figures have little influence on people's behavior.

What phenomenon explains why participants might blame victims for their suffering?

Just world phenomenon (correct)

Cognitive dissonance

Confirmation bias

Social conformity

In what way was the Milgram experiment perceived by the academic community?

As an unethical experiment Signup and view all the answers

What does full compliance in Milgram's study typically range between?

61-66% Signup and view all the answers

Why did Milgram face rejection from some academic institutions?

Due to negative perceptions associated with his experiments. Signup and view all the answers

What effect does the presence of authority have on moral decision-making according to the experiment?

It leads people to prioritize authority over moral values. Signup and view all the answers

How did participants often justify their actions during the Milgram experiment?

By saying victims didn't deserve sympathy. Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon describes the tendency to attribute others' negative behaviors to their inherent flaws, rather than the situation they are in?

Fundamental attribution error Signup and view all the answers

What can individuals do to mitigate the effects of authority on their decisions?

Reflect on their own actions and take responsibility Signup and view all the answers

In what year was the Stanford Prison Experiment conducted?

1971 Signup and view all the answers

What does the just world phenomenon encourage people to believe about others' circumstances?

Success and failure are purely determined by effort Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about how 'good' people might react in certain situations?

They may act according to social pressure and authority Signup and view all the answers

What type of bias should one be cautious of to avoid rationalizing their own harmful actions?

Self-serving bias Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of the Stanford Prison Experiment?

To assess how authority influences behavior Signup and view all the answers

What mindset is suggested to help counteract harmful judgments about people in difficult situations?

Understanding the complexities of their circumstances Signup and view all the answers

What factor is likely to decrease conformity according to prior commitments?

Having previously stated an opposing view Signup and view all the answers

Which factor increases the likelihood of obedience in an individual?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What does depersonalization in a social context typically involve?

Seeing the victim as less human Signup and view all the answers

What factor contributed to the distrust among prisoners in the experiment?

Inconsistent treatment by guards Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the Milgram study, what effect does victim distance have on obedience?

Greater visibility decreases obedience Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the reasons none of the prisoners left the study early?

They feared losing compensation Signup and view all the answers

How does physical proximity to an authority figure influence obedience?

Closer authority increases compliance Signup and view all the answers

How did the guards perceive the prisoners during the experiment?

As wimps and troublemakers Signup and view all the answers

What role do role models for defiance play in social obedience?

They decrease the likelihood of obeying orders Signup and view all the answers

What psychological effect did the prisoners experience due to their treatment?

Cognitive dissonance Signup and view all the answers

What role did deindividualization play in the experiment?

It minimized feelings of empathy among guards Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a situation with lower likelihood of conformity?

A participant has made a prior commitment against the group Signup and view all the answers

What was one effect of the situational environment on the participants' behavior?

They disregarded personal histories Signup and view all the answers

What effect does legitimacy of authority have on obedience levels?

Higher legitimacy increases obedience rates Signup and view all the answers

What ultimately led to the early termination of the study?

Psychological breakdowns of participants Signup and view all the answers

What concept explains the behavior of the guards justifying their treatment of prisoners?

Cognitive dissonance reduction Signup and view all the answers

What action did the guards take when the prisoners began to rebel on Day 2?

They fought back to assert their authority. Signup and view all the answers

What was a consequence of the environment created in the prison for the prisoners?

They experienced a loss of individuality. Signup and view all the answers

What did the guards do to regain control over the rebelling prisoners?

They used fire extinguishers on them. Signup and view all the answers

What escalation tactic did the guards use on Day 3 in response to a hunger strike?

They forced prisoners to repeat their numbers. Signup and view all the answers

What crucial role did Zimbardo take on during the experiment?

Warden Signup and view all the answers

How did the prisoners initially react to being treated as prisoners?

They began to rebel against the guards. Signup and view all the answers

What was the consequence for one prisoner after 36 hours in the experiment?

He experienced severe mental breakdown. Signup and view all the answers

What observation did Zimbardo's girlfriend make that prompted the end of the experiment?

She was appalled by the treatment of the prisoners. Signup and view all the answers

What is social loafing?

The tendency to put forth less effort in a group task when individual contributions are not evaluated. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following strategies can help reduce social loafing?

Separating individual performance evaluations. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Hawthorne effect describe?

Behavior changes when individuals are aware they are being observed. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered an agent of socialization?

Genetic predisposition Signup and view all the answers

Why is family considered the most important agent of socialization?

They teach self-care, norms, and interpersonal relationships. Signup and view all the answers

What role does socialization play in a person's life?

It is a lifelong process of learning how to interact with others. Signup and view all the answers

Which example showcases the concept of social loafing?

A team member contributing minimally during a collaborative project. Signup and view all the answers

How can group dynamics affect individual performance, according to social psychology?

Individuals may perform poorly when in a group due to social loafing. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Milgram Experiment

Milgram's study investigated Nazi leader Eichmann's trial post WWII
Eichmann was considered an ordinary person
He committed atrocities
Eichmann showed no remorse for actions
The study showed the ability of ordinary people to commit horrific acts when following orders
Participants given the role of teacher
Participants instructed to administer shocks for learner's incorrect answers
Intensity of shocks increase
Learners showed increase in physical and emotional distress
Experiments stopped when teachers protested orders or gave 450V shocks three times.
Majority of participants obeyed
Findings showed willingness of everyday people to harm others due to authority figures

Obedience Study Results

65% of participants administered the highest level of shock
Participants protested but still obeyed commands
Participants' willingness to administer shocks decreased slightly when learners were visibly distressed or expressed concerns.
Willingness to obey decreased significantly when learners and teachers were in the same room.

Stanford Prison Experiment

Conducted in 1971
Examined impact of social roles (prisoners, guards)
Participants were randomly assigned roles (prisoner/guard)
Participants assumed their roles beyond the study (guards became cruel)
Experiment conducted at Stanford University
Participants in prisoner roles became distressed and rebellious.
Participants in guard roles exhibited cruel and dehumanization behaviors toward prisoners
Experiment continued for only six days
Zimbardo's girlfriend prompted end of the experiment

Factors influencing Obedience and Conformity

Authority figures: Strong influence on people's behavior
Group size: More likely to conform in larger groups than small ones
Unanimity: If all other group members agree, conformist behavior increases
Public response:Conform when others know
Victim distance: Less likely to harm a clearly-identified victim
Social support: Presence of social support for non-conformity decreases conformist tendencies
Deindividuation: Individuals in groups exhibit more antisocial behaviors
Bystander effect: presence of others reduces help-giving in emergency

Social facilitation: Behavior improves in the presence of others
Social loafing: Individuals perform less well in groups.

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Description

This quiz explores the Milgram Experiment, which examined the extent to which ordinary individuals are willing to obey authority figures, even to the point of inflicting harm. It delves into the implications of obedience in the context of historical events, particularly the actions of individuals during the Holocaust. Participants played the role of 'teachers' administering electric shocks, showcasing troubling aspects of human behavior.