Meeus and Raaijmakers (1985) - Psych Edexcel U1

Meeus and Raaijmakers (1985)

Administrative obedience: carrying out orders to use psychological-administrative violence

This study was carried out in the Netherlands, about 20 years after Milgram’s study. 

Aim: To test obedience where harm would be done but in a more ‘up-to-date’ way - ‘violence typical of our times.’ This is less physical but more psychological.

Method: The method was experimental and based on Milgram's research - having a naive participant do something potentially harmful to another person. The participants ordered to harass a job applicant (the stooge) to make him nervous whilst sitting a test to determine whether he would get the job. They were told this was in the context of a research project.

Results:…