obedience

• What did Milgram's study aim to test regarding authority figures?

  It aimed to test how ordinary people obey orders from authority figures, even to the point of causing harm.
• What percentage of participants in Milgram's study were willing to give a potentially deadly electric shock?

  65%
• What were the key features of Milgram's original obedience experiment?

  • Participants thought they were in a memory study.
  • They were assigned roles of teacher and learner.
  • Electric shocks were administered for wrong answers.
  • The authority figure was a scientist in a lab coat.
• What were the voltage levels used in Milgram's experiment?

  From 15 volts to 450 volts.
• What was the role of the Confederates in Milgram's study?

  They were actors aware of the true nature of the study and played along to a set role.
• How did the participants react when the learner cried out in pain during the experiment?

  Many participants showed signs of stress but continued to obey the authority figure.
• What is the concept of the agentic state in Milgram's research?

  • A state where individuals carry out orders without feeling guilt or responsibility.
  • They believe the authority figure is responsible for their actions.
  • It contrasts with the autonomous state, where individuals feel responsible for their actions.
• What is the opposite of the agentic state called?

  The autonomous state.
• How does socialization contribute to the legitimacy of authority?

  It teaches us which members of society we should respect and obey.
• What role do uniforms play in the perception of authority?

  Uniforms act as visible symbols of authority, increasing legitimacy.
• How did Milgram vary the proximity of the authority figure in his experiments?

  He had the authority figure give instructions through a telephone instead of being in the same room.
• What was the obedience rate when the authority figure was distant?

  Obedience dropped to 21%.
• What effect did changing the location of the experiment have on obedience rates?

  Moving the study to a rundown office block reduced obedience to 47.5%.
• What was the obedience rate when the authority figure was dressed in plain clothes?

  Obedience dropped to 20%.
• What are some criticisms of Milgram's research methodology?Lacks mundane realism; the shock generator task is unrealistic.

  • Lacks ecological validity; the environment is not typical for most people.
  • Gender bias; original experiments used only male participants.
• What is a counter-dispositional explanation for obedience suggested by Adorno?

  People with an authoritarian personality are capable of extreme obedience.
• What does Adorno suggest about obedience in relation to personality types?

  Adorno suggests that people with an authoritarian personality are capable of extreme obedience.
• What is a key methodological strength of Milgram's experiment?

  His use of standardized procedures led to a high level of control.
• How have Milgram's results been shown to be reliable?

  They have been replicated across different countries and time periods.
• What ethical criticisms are associated with Milgram's study?

  Participants suffered emotional distress and were deceived about the study's nature.
• What is a counterargument to the ethical criticisms of Milgram's study?

  Some argue that the harm caused was justified by the research's impact.
• What are the key findings of Hofling's study involving nurses?

  • 21 out of 22 nurses complied with an order from a doctor over the phone
  • The order was to give a dangerous dose of medication.
  • This suggests high obedience to perceived authority in a hospital setting.
• How does Adorno's theory explain obedience in relation to upbringing?

  Adorno argues that an authoritarian personality develops from a harsh upbringing with physical punishments.
• What does the F scale measure in relation to personality?

  The F scale measures authoritarian personality traits, including fixed stereotypes and hostility towards lower-status groups.
• How does Adorno's theory differ from Milgram's regarding obedience?

  Adorno focuses on dispositional factors, while Milgram emphasizes situational factors.
• What are the implications of the research on obedience for understanding social behavior?

  • Obedience can vary significantly based on situational and dispositional factors.
  • Understanding these factors can help explain historical events and social dynamics.
• obedience is a form of social influence where an individual follows orders from an authority figure
• How many male participants did Milgram recruit for his study?

  40 male participants
• What roles were participants assigned in Milgram's study?

  Teacher or learner
• What did the participants believe they were taking part in?

  A memory test
• How was the assignment of roles rigged in the study?

  Participants always got the teacher role
• What would participants do to the learner when they made a mistake?

  Give electric shocks
• Were the electric shocks real in Milgram's experiment?

  No, the shocks were fake
• What was the range of electric shocks given in the study?

  15v to 450v
• What was the role of the confederate in the study?

  Acted as the learner
• What would happen when the learner begged to stop?

  Participants received verbal prods to continue
• What are the key components of Milgram's experiment design?

  • 40 male participants
  • Belief in a memory test
  • Roles of teacher and learner
  • Fake electric shocks (15v to 450v)
  • Verbal prods to continue when learner begged
• milligram found that 100% of participants continued to give shocks up to 300v, 65% gave the deadly 450v
• milgrams study concludes that people are willing to put other people in harm when ordered to do so by an authority figure
• advantages of milligrams study

  replicable, as it was conducted as a lab experiment so procedure, material and instructions were standardised