Milgrams original experiment

• What was the aim of the Milgram Experiment?


  To see how far a person would go in obeying an instruction from a person of higher authority that went against their own values.
• Why did Milgram choose this aim for his experiment?


  He wanted to see if only Germans were more likely to obey authority without question.
• What was Milgram's hypothesis related to the experiment?


  That obedience to authority was a cause of World War II.
• What was the method used in the Milgram Experiment?


  • Advertisement for men aged 20-50 (£4.50)
  • Participants introduced to 'confederate' Mr. Wallace
  • Lots drawn for teacher and learner roles
  • Experimenter in a lab coat
  • Two rooms in Yale University lab
  • Learner strapped to a chair with electrodes
  • Electric shock generator shown with increasing voltage
  • Sample shock of 45V given to convince participants
  • Teacher administered shocks for wrong answers
  • Increased shock if answer was incorrect, with prompts for resistance
• What did the advertisement for the Milgram Experiment say?


  Men aged 20-50 to go to Yale for a 'study of mind' test.
• What was the role of the teacher in the Milgram Experiment?


  The teacher sent electric shocks if the learner got an answer wrong.
• What percentage of participants continued to 450V in the Milgram Experiment?


  65%
• What conclusion can be drawn from the Milgram Experiment?


  • People are likely to follow orders from authority figures
  • This obedience can extend to harmful actions
  • Authority figures perceived as 'morally right' increase compliance
• How many men were used in the Milgram Experiment?


  40 men
• What does the Milgram Experiment suggest about obedience levels?


  Obedience levels are high even if actions may harm or have fatal consequences.