Milgram - a behavioural study of obedience - Flashcards in A Level and IB Psychology

Created by: Ella M
Created on: 25-05-13 15:20

What is the aim of this study?

to investigate what level of obedience would be shown when subjects were told by an authority figure to administer electric shocks to another person

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What is the design?

controlled observation

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what is the sample?

40 males between the age of 20 and 50

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where was the sample from?

New Haven, USA

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how much were the sample paid?

$4.50

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Describe the task

participants were given the role of teacher, they had to teach another person pairs of words. if the learner got a pair wrong, the teacher had to administer an electric shock, each time the shock increased by 15V, and the maximum was 150V.

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How was the experiment deceptive?

the participants were not told the true aim of the study, they were told it was to find out about punishment and learning. in addition, the participants were given test shocks of 15V to add to the illusion.

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What were the prods?

"please continue", "the experiment required that you continue", "it is absolutely essential that you continue", "you have no other choice, you must go on"

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What happened if the participants asked if the learner would suffer tissue damage?

"although the shocks are painful, there is no permanent tissue damage so please go on"

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What happened if the participants said that the learner didn't want to go on?

"whether the learner likes it or not, you must go on until he has learned all of the pairs correctly. so please go on"

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what percentage of people continued to the maximum voltage? and what was the maximum voltage?

65% got to 450V

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what did the experiment do to the participants?

it caused great stress, the participants started trembling and sweating

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what is the conclusion of the study?

there is a situational explanation to obedience. supports Agentic state theory - people are obedient as they see themselves as tools for other people's work

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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What is the design?

Back

controlled observation

Card 3

Front

what is the sample?

Back

Card 4

Front

where was the sample from?

Back

Card 5

Front

how much were the sample paid?

Back

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Milgram - a behavioural study of obedience