Milgram - social psychology

• What is the aim of Milgram's study?

  To understand obedience and its processes
• How is obedience defined in the study material?

  Following orders from authority figures
• What is the difference between conformity and obedience?

  Conformity is changing beliefs; obedience is following orders
• What factors in Milgram's early life influenced his interest in obedience research?

  His modest Romanian background and previous work
• What current events influenced Milgram's interest in obedience?

  Events during WWII, especially concentration camps
• What cultural factors in America during the 1950s may have impacted Milgram's study?

  Societal norms emphasizing obedience and authority
• What were Milgram's aims in conducting his study?

  To investigate obedience and authority's power
• Why do psychologists suggest Milgram's actual aim differed from his written aim?

  To avoid discrimination against German people
• What is the definition of obedience?

  • Deliberate social influence
  • Following orders from authority
  • Abdicating individual judgment
  • Maintains power structure in society
• What is the agentic state?

  • Explanation of obedience by Milgram
  • Individual acts as an agent of authority
  • Shift from autonomy to agency
• What is national character?

  • Common personality traits of a nation
  • Influences behavior and social norms
• What are pilot studies?

  • Small trial versions of studies
  • Test effectiveness and identify issues
  • Improve before full investigation
• What was the setting of Milgram's study?

  A laboratory at Yale University
• What were participants told the study aimed to investigate?

  How punishment affected learning
• How much were participants paid for the study?

  $4.50
• What role did the 'naïve' participant play in the study?

  Always received the role of teacher
• What was the purpose of the electric chair apparatus?

  To prevent excessive movement during shocks
• What voltage was the test shock given to the teacher?

  45 volts
• What happened when the learner reached 300 volts?

  The learner pounded on the wall
• How many participants continued to 450 volts?

  26 out of 40 participants
• What signs of distress did participants show during the study?

  Participants sweated, stuttered, and groaned
• How many participants experienced full-blown seizures?

  Three participants
• What was the purpose of the standard prods used by the experimenter?

  To encourage the teacher to continue
• What was done to ensure participants left in a state of well-being?

  Participants were debriefed and reconciled
• What were the qualitative results of Milgram's study?

  • Signs of nervousness observed
  • Participants showed distress and discomfort
  • Some experienced seizures
  • Distressing comments made by participants
• What were the quantitative results of Milgram's study?

  • 100% continued to 300 volts
  • 65% continued to 450 volts
  • 12.5% stopped at 300 volts
  • 14 participants disobeyed at some point
• What were the implications of Milgram's findings on obedience?

  • Highlighted the power of authority
  • Raised ethical concerns about human behavior
  • Influenced future psychological research
• What ethical considerations arose from Milgram's study?

  • Psychological distress of participants
  • Deception regarding the study's true aim
  • Need for thorough debriefing procedures