Milgram

• How many participants in Milgram's study?

  • 40 American males
  • Supposedly for a study of memory
• What was the procedure of Milgram's study?

  • Participants drew lots for the role. Mr Wallace was always the ‘learner’ whilst the participant was the ‘teacher’.
  • An ‘experimenter’ wore a lab coat.
  • The teacher had to give the learner an increasing electric shock every time they got the question wrong (from 15V to 450V)
  • The shocks were fake but there were “reactions“
• What happened if the teacher wished to stop?

  They were given a verbal prod from the experimenter to continue
• What were the key findings of Milgrams experiment?

  • 12.5% stopped at 300 volts
  • 65% continues to 450 volts (highest level)
  • Participants showed signs of extreme tension, three had seizures
• What did the Psychology students predict would happen?

  Thought 3% would continue to 450 volts
• What conclusions can be made from Milgram's experiment?

  We obey legitimate authority even if it means out behaviour causes harm to someone else
• Strengths of Milgram's Research:?

  • Research Support
  • French documentary/game show found that 80% gave maximum shock, plus similar behaviour to Milgram's Ps (Beauvois et al)
• Limitation of Milgram's Research:?

  • Low internal Validity
  • Ps realised the shocks were fake, so 'play-acting' (Orne and Holland). Supported by Perry - tapes of Ps showed only 50% believed shocks were real.

  COUNTERPOINT:

  • Ps did give real shocks to a puppy (Sherdian and King)
• Limitation of Milgram's Research:

  • Ethical Issues
  • Deception meant Ps could not properly consent.
  • May be balanced by benefits from research