Explanations for Obedience

• What was the main focus of Milgram's study on obedience?

  To test how far individuals would go in obeying an authority figure's orders.
• What percentage of participants in Milgram's study were willing to administer the maximum shock?

  65%
• What did Milgram's experiment reveal about ordinary people and authority figures?

  Ordinary people are likely to obey authority figures even to the point of causing harm.
• What are the key features of Milgram's original obedience experiment?

  • Participants believed they were in a memory study.
  • They were assigned the role of "teacher."
  • They administered electric shocks to a "learner" for incorrect answers.
  • Shocks ranged from 15 volts to 450 volts.
  • The "learner" was actually a confederate and not really shocked.
• What role did the confederate play in Milgram's experiment?

  The confederate acted as the "learner" who received shocks.
• How did participants react when the "learner" expressed 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.
  • They believe the authority figure is responsible for their actions.
  • It contrasts with the autonomous state, where individuals feel personal responsibility.
• What is the opposite of the agentic state called?

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

  • Individuals learn whom to respect and obey through socialization.
  • Recognizes social hierarchy and positions of authority.
  • Authority figures are often seen as legitimate based on their roles.
• How does uniform affect the perception of authority in Milgram's study?

  Uniforms act as visible symbols of authority, increasing legitimacy.
• What situational variables did Milgram alter in his experiments to test obedience?

  • Proximity: Distance between participant and authority figure.
  • Location: Changing the setting of the experiment.
  • Uniform: Changing the attire of the authority figure.
• What was the obedience rate when the authority figure gave instructions via telephone?

  21%
• How did changing the location of the experiment from Yale to a rundown office affect obedience?

  Obedience dropped to 47.5% due to reduced legitimacy of authority.
• What was the obedience rate when the authority figure was dressed in plain clothes?

  20%
• What are some criticisms of Milgram's research methodology?

  • Lacks mundane realism; not reflective of everyday tasks.
  • Lacks ecological validity; unusual environment for most people.
  • Gender bias; original study used only male participants.
• What is a counter-dispositional explanation for obedience suggested by Adorno?

  People with authoritarian personalities are more likely to display extreme obedience.
• What are the strengths of Milgram's experimental methodology?

  • Use of standardized procedures for high control.
  • Clear instructions allow for replication of results.
  • Findings have been shown to be reliable across different contexts.
• What does Adorno suggest about people with an authoritarian personality in relation to obedience?

  They are capable of extreme obedience in the presence of legitimate authority.
• What methodological strength is associated with Milgram's experiment?

  His use of standardized procedures led to high control.
• Why are the results of Milgram's experiments considered reliable?

  They have been shown to be consistent across countries and time periods.
• What ethical criticisms are associated with Milgram's study?

  Participants suffered emotional distress and were deceived.
• What is the cost-benefit perspective regarding Milgram's ethical decisions?

  Any harm to participants was justified by the impact of his studies.
• What are the key findings of Hofling's study regarding obedience in nurses?

  • 21 out of 22 nurses complied with an order from an unfamiliar voice.
  • The order was to give a dangerous dose of medication.
  • This suggests high obedience to perceived authority in a hospital setting.
• What did Bickman's field experiment reveal about uniforms and obedience?

  • Obedience was highest when the experimenter wore a guard uniform.
  • 89% obeyed in the guard uniform condition.
  • Only 33% obeyed when in no uniform.
• What were the findings of Sheridan and King's study on obedience?

  • Participants delivered real electric shocks to a puppy.
  • 54% of male participants shocked the puppy to the maximum level.
  • 100% of female participants shocked the puppy to the maximum level.
• How does Adorno's theory explain obedience in relation to personality?

  People with an authoritarian personality are particularly vulnerable to authority figures.
• What childhood experiences contribute to developing an authoritarian personality according to Adorno?

  A harsh upbringing with physical punishments.
• What are the characteristics of an authoritarian personality?

  • Excessive respect for authority figures.
  • Hostility towards lower-status individuals.
  • Fixed stereotypes and scapegoating of minority groups.
  • Dogmatic views on morality.
• What does the F scale measure in relation to authoritarian personality?

  It measures traits associated with fascism and authoritarianism.
• What is an example of a question from the F scale?

  Obedience and respect for authority are the most important virtues for children to learn.
• What does the factor of 'power and toughness' in the F scale refer to?

  It refers to the relationship between dominance and submission.
• How does Adorno's theory explain variations in obedience among Milgram's participants?

  Willingness to obey varies from person to person based on dispositional factors.
• What did Elms and Milgram's study find regarding obedient males and the F scale?


  Obedient males scored significantly higher on the F scale.
• What is a limitation of research supporting Adorno's theory?

  The link between abusive childhood and authoritarian personality can only be studied correlationally.
• What are the criticisms of the F scale questionnaire?

  • Acquiescence bias may inflate scores.
  • Questions may be biased against right-wing political views.
  • It oversimplifies complex historical events into personality flaws.
• What is a risk of using the authoritarian personality as an explanation for obedience?

  It can lead to stereotyping and reduce accountability of social structures.