Hofling's Study - Edexcel Psych Unit 1

Hofling et al (1966)

Aim: To investigate what happens when a nurse is ordered to carry out a procedure which goes against her professional standards, when the order comes from a doctor.

Procedure: This was a field study which involved three hospitals across the USA. One hospital acted as a control group. Before the study, 12 graduate  nurses and 21 student nurses were asked to fill out a questionnaire; questionning them about what they would do if confronted by the experimental situation. While alone on the ward, they receive a phone call from an unknown doctor. By complying with these orders, they would be breaking the hospital rules and regulations;

• The nurse is asked to give an overdose of the drug (a placebo), the dosage…