Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was the primary aim of Milgram's research?
What was the primary aim of Milgram's research?
What percentage of participants continued to the highest level of shock in Milgram's experiment?
What percentage of participants continued to the highest level of shock in Milgram's experiment?
Which of the following variations significantly decreased obedience in Milgram's experiment?
Which of the following variations significantly decreased obedience in Milgram's experiment?
In Milgram's research, what role did the 'learner' actually play in the experiment?
In Milgram's research, what role did the 'learner' actually play in the experiment?
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What effect did physical proximity have on obedience in Milgram's study?
What effect did physical proximity have on obedience in Milgram's study?
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What explanation for obedience is referred to when individuals see themselves as an extension of the technical apparatus?
What explanation for obedience is referred to when individuals see themselves as an extension of the technical apparatus?
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Which event is NOT mentioned as an influence on Milgram's research?
Which event is NOT mentioned as an influence on Milgram's research?
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In the variations of Milgram's experiment, what was the outcome when the experimenter was called away and left the participant with a stooge?
In the variations of Milgram's experiment, what was the outcome when the experimenter was called away and left the participant with a stooge?
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What fundamental question did Milgram seek to answer through his experiments?
What fundamental question did Milgram seek to answer through his experiments?
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According to Milgram's findings, what percentage of participants continued to administer shocks up to the maximum level?
According to Milgram's findings, what percentage of participants continued to administer shocks up to the maximum level?
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What was the conclusion made by Reicher, Haslam & Smith regarding obedience in the Milgram experiment?
What was the conclusion made by Reicher, Haslam & Smith regarding obedience in the Milgram experiment?
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What ethical concern is raised regarding Milgram’s original experiment?
What ethical concern is raised regarding Milgram’s original experiment?
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What is the significance of the 150-volt mark identified by Burger in his replication study?
What is the significance of the 150-volt mark identified by Burger in his replication study?
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What did Slater et al. (2006) demonstrate using virtual reality in their study?
What did Slater et al. (2006) demonstrate using virtual reality in their study?
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What aspect of authority did Reicher et al. attribute to increasing obedience during Milgram's experiments?
What aspect of authority did Reicher et al. attribute to increasing obedience during Milgram's experiments?
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What was the outcome regarding nurses' compliance in Hofling et al.'s study?
What was the outcome regarding nurses' compliance in Hofling et al.'s study?
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According to Gonzalez-Franco et al. (2018), what behavior was observed among participants in the standard study?
According to Gonzalez-Franco et al. (2018), what behavior was observed among participants in the standard study?
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What does the concept of 'engaged followership' imply in the context of obedience?
What does the concept of 'engaged followership' imply in the context of obedience?
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What is a key critique of laboratory research in the context of Milgram’s studies?
What is a key critique of laboratory research in the context of Milgram’s studies?
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What potential impact does ecological validity have on the findings of Milgram's experiments?
What potential impact does ecological validity have on the findings of Milgram's experiments?
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What role did 'verbal designations' play in Milgram's shock experiments?
What role did 'verbal designations' play in Milgram's shock experiments?
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What does the term 'correlation' refer to in the context of these experiments?
What does the term 'correlation' refer to in the context of these experiments?
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Study Notes
Milgram's Obedience Study
- Background: Milgram's research was influenced by historical events like the My Lai massacre and the Vietnam War, and the actions of Adolf Eichmann.
- Aim: To investigate obedience to authority, specifically when no threats were involved, focusing on cases where authority figures simply asserted their right to control.
- Procedure: Participants were recruited under the guise of a learning and memory experiment. They were assigned the role of "teacher" (always the participant), while a confederate played the role of "learner." Teachers administered electric shocks of increasing voltage when the learner answered incorrectly. A sample shock (45 volts) was administered. The experimenter encouraged the teacher to continue despite the learner's distress.
- Results: 62.5% of participants administered the highest level of shock (368 volts on average).
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Variations & Findings:
- Proximity of learner: Decreased obedience as learner's distress increased (physical proximity, hearing cries/shouts, being in the same room, having to force a hand onto the shock plate).
- Proximity of authority: Obedience decreased when the experimenter gave orders over the phone (21%).
- Location: Obedience decreased when the experiment was conducted in different locations (e.g., a hotel instead of a university basement).
- Other Variations: Obedience reduced when the experimenter was replaced, or the experimenter and a stooge gave conflicting instructions. This emphasizes the importance of perceived legitimacy of authority.
- Observations: Participants often displayed stress and discomfort but still continued. This suggests obedience isn't entirely due to personality.
- Explanations 1 (Agentic State): Participants might have viewed themselves as agents of the authority figure, detaching personal responsibility from their actions. Also, absorption in the procedure and perceived competence of the authority.
- Explanations 2 (Social Beliefs and Legitimacy): Participants' obedience was influenced by social norms, their understanding of the context, gradual escalation of demands, and uncertainty about what others would do. Having a role model who defied the authority reduced obedience dramatically.
- Milgram's Personal Insights: Milgram wanted to understand how ordinary people could commit inhumane acts. He was intrigued by the conditions under which people obey authority figures even when their actions go against their conscience.
- Milgram's Methodology: The study was conducted at Yale University in May 1962, with 40 male participants aged 20-50. There was a simulated shock generator to trick participants in this experiment (shock was faked). The experimenter gave verbal prompts and warnings (slight shock, moderate shock, etc.) using increasing voltage to the deception of making teachers more and more involved.
- Milgram's findings: Majority of participants went to the highest voltage when encouraged by the experimenter in a white coat (65%).
Other Studies: Reicher, Burger, Slater, Gonzalez-Franco
- Reicher, Haslam, & Smith (2012): Argued that obedience wasn't simply "unthinking" but rather active identification with the experimenter and their goals; obedience is contingent on the perceived legitimacy of the authority figure (the participant must identify with the authority’s goals). Their research found "engaged followership", where willingness to take unpleasant action depends on the tasks seem virtuous to those being asked to act.
- Burger (2009): Ethically replicated Milgram's study. Critically examined Milgram’s methodology that asked the question: Do participants stop at or before 150 volts? Showed 30% stopped at or before 150 volts in his replication vs. 17.5% for the Milgram's original study, and 70% vs 82.5% respectively, when going beyond 150v.
- Slater et al (2006): Used virtual reality to create a more realistic scenario for obedience studies. Teachers showed physiological responses (e.g., arousal via skin conductance) even though they knew the learner was virtual.
- Gonzalez-Franco et al (2018): Used VR to measure teachers' focus on the correct response in answering questions, suggesting that participants likely considered the learners' experience and outcomes, even when continuing obedience.
Ethical Considerations
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Informed Consent: Participants were deceived, raising questions about informed consent.
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Right to Withdraw: The procedures compromised participants' right to withdraw.
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Potential Harm: Participants potentially experienced anxiety and psychological harm. Subsequent analyses showed the majority of participants were glad they participated in the study, while a small minority expressed regret.
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Criticisms: Milgram's use of lab research raised ecological validity concerns. Deception and lack of generalizability to everyday situations posed important ethical and research concerns. Opportunities for non-laboratory research were also suggested.
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Hofling et al (1966): Found high obedience rates in a real-world setting (hospital) to medical authority figures. This showed high obedience to authority even in a natural environment.
Implications
- The common image of Milgram's research as solely reflecting "unthinking obedience" is inaccurate. Active engagement and identification with the authority figure, perception of legitimacy, and the perception of positive outcomes from obedience are key factors in obedience.
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Description
Explore the intriguing findings of Milgram's Obedience Study, which aimed to understand how ordinary people can commit acts against their conscience when obeying authority. This quiz covers the background, methodology, and key results of the experiment conducted to test obedience in uncertain contexts.
