Milgram Obedience Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is obedience?

Obedience is complying with the orders of an authority figure.

What did Milgram believe about extreme obedience?

Milgram believed that extreme obedience, like the systematic murders carried out by the Nazis during WWII, was specific to a very large number of people who carry out orders and wouldn't show in individuals.

What was the AIM of Milgram's study?

To test the hypothesis that obeying orders to kill another human was specific to extreme obedience.

What method was used in Milgram's study?

A lab experiment with minor questionnaire, interview, and observation. Signup and view all the answers

What design was used in Milgram's study?

There was no specific design. Signup and view all the answers

What was the independent variable (IV) and dependent variable (DV) in the study?

IV: there is no IV, but some argue the command to obey is the IV; DV: the maximum shock administered before refusal. Signup and view all the answers

What technique was used to collect the sample?

Volunteer/self-selecting. Signup and view all the answers

How was the sample collected?

An advertisement was placed in a newspaper for a study on 'learning and memory' with a starting pay of $4.50. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the participants in Milgram's study.

40 males aged 20-50 from a wide range of occupations and educational levels. Signup and view all the answers

What were some advantages of the sample used?

Broader target population and potentially wide range of respondents. Signup and view all the answers

What were some disadvantages of the sample used?

May not be representative, targets readers of a specific newspaper, and volunteers may possess unique characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the experimenter?

An actor, a 31-year-old high school biology teacher dressed in a grey technicians coat. Signup and view all the answers

What was the experimenter's primary role?

To prod participants if they hesitated to shock the 'learner'. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the stooge.

The stooge was a 47-year-old accountant trained to act as another participant. Signup and view all the answers

How was the stooge used to deceive?

The choice of role was fixed, attachment to the shock generator was genuine, and he displayed real reactions. Signup and view all the answers

What were some advantages of using the stooge?

Kept participants naïve and suggested how they may behave. Signup and view all the answers

How was deception controlled?

Deception about the AIM, manipulating roles, and creating realistic scenarios. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the apparatus used in the experiment.

A shock generator with switches increasing in 15v steps labeled from slight shock to extreme intensity. Signup and view all the answers

If the apparatus is fake, why use it?

To measure if people will be obedient against moral conduct, it needed to appear real. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Obedience

Obedience involves complying with orders from an authority figure, distinct from mere compliance, which may occur without personal agreement.

Milgram's Belief

Extreme obedience is not individualistic; Milgram posited it aligns with group behavior, exemplified by Nazi atrocities during WWII.

Study Aim

The study aimed to investigate whether U.S. citizens in the 1960s could be compelled to deliver lethal electric shocks to another person under instruction.

Methodology

Employed a laboratory experiment, supplemented by questionnaires, interviews, and direct observation.

Study Design

No specific design was followed; primarily qualitative observations were utilized.

Independent and Dependent Variables

Independent Variable: No distinct IV; some suggest the command to obey may suffice.
Dependent Variable: The maximum shock level participants administered before refusal.

Sample Collection Technique

Utilized a volunteer/self-selecting sampling method.

Sample Collection Process

Participants were recruited via a newspaper advertisement seeking subjects for a study on "learning and memory," offering a compensation of $4.50.

Participant Demographics

Comprised 40 males aged 20-50, representing a diverse array of occupations and educational backgrounds, from elementary school to doctorate levels.

Advantages of the Sample

Broader target population compared to a typical student sample.
Diverse demographics in age, occupation, and educational background enhanced the study's validity.

Disadvantages of the Sample

Potential lack of representativeness for the general population.
Limited to those who read the particular newspaper.
Volunteer biases might affect characteristics of respondents.
Participants who did not respond to the advertisement were excluded, potentially skewing results.

Experimenter Description

The experimenter was a 31-year-old actor portraying a high school biology teacher, dressed in a grey technicians coat to reinforce authority.

Experimenter's Role

Actively prompted participants to continue administering shocks when they hesitated or expressed reluctance.

Stooge Description

The stooge, presenting as a participant, was actually an actor—a 47-year-old accountant trained to simulate the victim's responses.

Stooge Deception Techniques

Random assignment to roles was staged; the stooge always acted as the learner.
The stooge's connection to the shock apparatus appeared genuine, reinforcing the setup's authenticity.
The stooge claimed to have a heart condition, adding to the ethical dilemma.
Reactions from the stooge were scripted to sound realistic, creating a compelling scenario.

Advantages of Using a Stooge

Maintained participant naïveté regarding the study's true purpose.
Influenced participant behavior through modeled responses.
Essential for achieving the study's aims without revealing deception beforehand.

Deception Control Measures

Advertised study as focusing on "learning and memory" rather than obedience.
Both the stooge and the experimenter were not as they seemed.
Role assignment appeared random but was controlled to maintain the illusion.
The apparatus was designed to ensure safety while simulating real shocks.
The stooge's responses were deliberately made to sound painful.

Apparatus Design

Featured a shock generator with switches, each increasing by 15 volts.
Switches labeled from slight shock (15v) to XXX (450v), indicating extreme intensity.

Purpose of the Apparatus

Even though the shock generator was not functional, its realistic appearance served to test moral conflict and obedience without actual harm.
Camouflaged the true aim of the study to prevent participants from questioning the ethicality of their actions.

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Description

This quiz focuses on the concepts of obedience as explored in Milgram's 1963 experiments. It defines obedience and discusses Milgram's views on extreme obedience in the context of historical events such as WWII. Test your knowledge of these psychological principles with these flashcards.