Social Psychology

People in Authority
1. Milgram (1963)
  1. Aim
    1. Investigate the process of obedience.
    2. Demonstrate the power of a legitimate authority despite any destructive or immoral behaviour they have been asked to complete
  2. Design
    1. Controlled Observation (in a laboratory)
    2. Self-Report Study
    3. Not an experiment - no IV
  3. Sample
    1. 40 ppts
      1. Chosen out of 500 volunteers
    2. All men
    3. Aged 20 - 50
    4. Self-Selected Sample
    5. Biology teacher dressed in a technician's coat - experimenter
    6. Learner - 47-year-old accountant trained for the role
    7. Both actors were accomplices of Milgram (Confederates)
  4. Materials
    1. Shock generator - no strong shocks were administers in the observation
  5. Procedure
    1. Received $4.50 for participating.
    2. Ppt played role of teacher who administered "shocks" that increased after each incorrect answer to a question
    3. The PPT or (T) experienced a 45 Volt shock to show an example of what the L would experience
    4. In order to deter any hesitation observed from the T, the E would deliver statements such as:
      1. "The experiment requires that you continue"
      2. "You have no choice you must continue"
    5. Once voltage reached 300V L pounded on the wall and ask to stop receiving the shocks
      1. This stopped at 315V to imply they had severe/fatal damage
  6. Results
    1. Quantitative
      1. 100% gave shocks up to 300V
      2. 12.5% (5) stopped at 300V
      3. 4 stopped at 315V
      4. 2 stopped at 330V
      5. 1 stopped at 345V
      6. 1 stopped at 360V
      7. 1 stopped at 375V
      8. 65% continued until the end 450V
      9. 14/40 were disobedient due to eventual refusal to obey orders
    2. Qualitative
      1. Signs of nervousness
        Sweat
        Trembling
        Stuttering
        Biting lips
        Groaning
        Dug their fingernails into their flesh
      2. 3 experienced uncontrollable seizures
        Stopped the trial in one case
      3. Ppt comments:
        "He's banging in there"
        "I'm gonna chicken out"
        "I'd like to continue but I can't do that to a man"
        "I'll hurt his head"
        "You take your [money]"
  7. Conclusion
    1. People are surprisingly obedient to authority
    2. The power of the situation in obedience is stronger than dispositional facotrs
  8. Evaluative Points
    1. Research Methods
      1. Strength
        Variables are easier to control (shock levels)
      2. Weakness
        Demand characteristics
        May realise shocks are not real
    2. Ethnocentrism
      1. Only looked at America
        Individualist culture may have different attitudes to helping others
    3. Validity
      1. Ethnocentricity limits the validity of the study
      2. Some of the data collective was subjective - specifically the reactions related to the statements the E would use to encourage the T to continue may force them to continue regardless of their view.
      3. People only obey authority that they can identify with
    4. Sampling Bias
      1. Strength
        Range of occupations and educational backgrounds
        Representative of the target population

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	Created by Charlotte Livings about 2 years ago