Milgram's Obedience Study Overview

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Questions and Answers

What was the main aim of Milgram's research?

To study obedience to authority that is willingly assumed in the absence of threats and maintained through the simple repetition by an authority figure that they have the right to exercise control.

Which of the following events influenced Milgram's research?

My Lai Massacre

Vietnam War

Adolf Eichmann's trial

All of the above (correct)

What were the roles assigned to the participants in Milgram's experiment?

Teacher and learner.

The teacher in Milgram's experiment was always a genuine participant, while the learner was a confederate.

True Signup and view all the answers

What was the punishment method used by the teacher in Milgram's experiment?

Electric shocks. Signup and view all the answers

What voltage did the teacher receive as a sample shock?

45 volts. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of participants continued to the highest level of shock in Milgram's original experiment?

62.5%. Signup and view all the answers

What was the average maximum shock administered by participants in Milgram's experiment?

368 volts. Signup and view all the answers

Which one of the following was NOT a variation used in Milgram's experiment?

Intelligence level of the participant Signup and view all the answers

How did the psychological proximity of the learner influence obedience in Milgram's experiment?

Obedience decreased as the perceived proximity of the learner increased. Signup and view all the answers

How did the proximity of the authority figure influence obedience in Milgram's experiment?

Obedience decreased significantly when the authority figure was distant, such as when they gave orders over the telephone. Signup and view all the answers

What was the percentage of participants who continued to the highest shock level when the authority figure gave orders over the telephone?

21%. Signup and view all the answers

How did the location of the experiment influence obedience in Milgram's experiment?

Obedience was slightly higher when the experiment took place in a basement setting compared to a hotel setting. Signup and view all the answers

What was the percentage of participants who continued to the highest shock level when the experiment took place in a basement setting?

65%. Signup and view all the answers

What was the percentage of participants who continued to the highest shock level when the experiment took place in a hotel setting?

48%. Signup and view all the answers

Milgram conducted a second round of experiments with new participants to rule out the possibility that the original participants were abnormal.

True Signup and view all the answers

What was the difference between the original participants and the new participants in terms of their shock levels?

The new participants were much less inclined to inflict high levels of shock, even when given free choice. Signup and view all the answers

What was the maximum shock level administered by the participants who were given free choice over the shock levels?

150 volts. Signup and view all the answers

How did the experimenters' arguing affect the level of conformity in Milgram's experiment?

It reduced the level of conformity. Signup and view all the answers

What was the impact of having a rebellious participant in Milgram's experiment?

It significantly reduced the level of obedience. Signup and view all the answers

What was the percentage of obedience when a rebellious participant was present?

10%. Signup and view all the answers

What did Milgram wonder about the participants' ability to inflict pain?

He wondered how ordinary and decent people could inflict pain on others without any apparent conscience. Signup and view all the answers

What was Milgram's objective in studying authority?

He wanted to study the conditions under which people would obey authority figures who commanded actions that went against their conscience. Signup and view all the answers

Where and when did Milgram conduct his original study?

Yale University, May 1962. Signup and view all the answers

What was the age range of the participants in Milgram's original study?

Between 20 and 50. Signup and view all the answers

How did Milgram trick the participants into believing they were studying learning?

He pretended that people learn better when punished for mistakes. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of shock generator was used in Milgram's experiment?

It had a shock generator with verbal designations ranging from slight shock to XXX danger severe. Signup and view all the answers

The learner in Milgram's experiment actually received electric shocks.

False Signup and view all the answers

According to Reicher, Haslam & Smith (2012) what motivated the participants in Milgram's experiment?

They argued that the participants weren't blindly obedient, but were actively identifying with the experimenter and his mission. Signup and view all the answers

What did Reicher, Haslam & Smith (2012) find about the correlation between identification with the learner and obedience?

They found that the degree of identification with the learner predicted the level of obedience in Milgram's original data. Signup and view all the answers

What did Reicher et al term the participants' behavior in Milgram's experiment?

Engaged followership. Signup and view all the answers

According to Reicher et al, what condition influences participants' willingness to perform unpleasant tasks?

It depends on the authority being able to convince them that they are contributing to a progressive and virtuous purpose rather than a harmful one. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following ethical concerns were raised about Milgram's experiment?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of participants reported being glad to have taken part in Milgram's study?

80%. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of Milgram's experiment did Burger (2009) identify as a critical juncture in terms of obedience?

He identified 150 volts as a critical juncture, marking a significant turning point in the experiment. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of 150 volts in Burger's (2009) interpretation of Milgram's experiment?

Burger argued that 150 volts is a threshold where people tend to question their actions and consider stopping. Signup and view all the answers

What was the percentage of participants who continued to the highest shock level after administering 150 volts in Milgram's original experiment?

79%. Signup and view all the answers

According to Burger (2009), what is ethically acceptable to replicate from Milgram's study?

He argued that it is ethically acceptable to replicate Milgram's study up to 150 volts. Signup and view all the answers

What key issues did Burger (2009) address in his replication of Milgram's study?

He focused on whether participants would stop at or before 150 volts and whether they would continue reading words for the learner after administering 150 volts. Signup and view all the answers

What does Burger (2009) argue is a sign of potential continuing obedience beyond 150 volts?

If a participant continues reading words for the learner after administering 150 volts, it suggests a willingness to move forward with the experiment, indicating a likelihood of continuing past the threshold. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Milgram's Obedience to Authority Research

Influencing factors: The My Lai massacre (1969), the Vietnam War, and the actions of Adolf Eichmann influenced Milgram's interest in obedience.
Aim: To investigate obedience, specifically willingness to obey authority figures without threats, achieved through repeated instructions.

Experimental Procedure

Recruitment: Participants were recruited via advertisements for a study on learning and memory.
Participant roles: Participants were assigned to the role of "teacher" (real participant) or "learner" (confederate).
Procedure setup: The teacher was placed in front of a shock generator with different voltage levels. The learner (a confederate) was strapped into a chair.
Shock administration: The "teacher" was instructed to administer electric shocks to the learner for incorrect responses, with increasing voltage.
Initial shock: Teacher received a sample shock at 45 volts.
Experimenter's instructions: The experimenter encouraged the teacher to continue despite the learner's protests and apparent distress.

Results

High obedience rate: 62.5% of participants continued to administer shocks up to the highest level (450 volts).
Average maximum shock: Participants administered shocks averaging 368 volts.

Variations

Psychological proximity of learner: The effect of the learner's proximity on obedience was tested.
Options: Pounding on the wall, crying / shouting, being in the same room, forcing the hand onto the shock plate.
Proximity of authority figure: Giving instructions over the telephone significantly reduced obedience (21%).
Location: The location of the experiment affected obedience levels in the variations (e.g. basement, hotel)

Interpreting the Results

Participants' motivations: Participants' behaviour can be interpreted as driven by obedience to authority, not necessarily psychopathy.
Participants showed stress and distress, yet many continued.
Participants did not do what they were told without showing stress.
Participants sometimes chose not to follow instructions, suggesting that obedience is influenced by contextual factors and personal willingness.
Role of the authority figure: The experimenter's role and perceived legitimacy seemed crucial. The experimenter's influence faded if roles were switched or the experimenter left.
Gradual increases: The gradual increase in shock levels played a significant role, leading to conformity.
Social influence: Participants' actions are also explained by looking at the individual's view and understanding of the context. This highlights the significance of social beliefs and authority's legitimacy.

Milgram's Perspective

Motivations: Milgram wanted to understand how ordinary people behaved in extreme situations, especially with regard to authority and conscience.
Research Setup: 40 males aged 20-50, at Yale University in May 1962.
Shock generator details: The shock generator had different verbal designations for voltages e.g., slight shock, intense shock, danger severe. Learner was hidden. Simulation.
Experiment outcome: 65% showed obedience to instructions to administer shock when urged to continue.
Simulation details: Learner pretended to be unconscious.

Reicher, Haslam, & Smith (2012) Critique

Alternative explanation: The shocking behaviour wasn't simply 'unthinking obedience'. It involved active identification with the experimenter's mission and aims.
Identification factor: Variants of the study were tested and the level of identification with the learner was found to predict the level of obedience.
'Engaged followership': Positive identification with their task, led to obedience.

Ethical Considerations

Informed consent: Was consent truly informed given the misleading nature of the study?
Right to withdraw: Participants' rights to withdraw might have been compromised.
Potential for anxiety and harm: Participants potentially experienced anxiety and distress.
Post-experiment feedback: The majority of participants reported being glad they participated.

Burger (2009) Replication

Ethical considerations: A replication, only up to 150 volts, was argued to be ethically permissible. This is a key juncture where most participants began to hesitate, and a stopping point was proposed.
Key variables: whether to stop at or before 150 volts ( and how this is done). whether to continue to give orders and pairs of words for the learner to learn after 150 volts has been reached.

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Description

Explore the fascinating Milgram experiment that investigates obedience to authority figures. This quiz delves into the experiment's aims, procedures, and the historical influences that informed the study. Test your knowledge of this pivotal psychological research.