Weaknesses

• Orne and Holland

  • argue that Ppts guessed the electric shocks were fake so were play acting as they would assume the research would never expose the learner to such danger
  • Suggests Ppts may be responding to demand characteristics
• Haslam

  • Found that every ppt given the first 3 probes obeyed but when given the 4th probe didn’t
  • Social identity theory - the first 3 required identification with the science of the research but the 4th required blind obedience
  • This shows the findings are best explained by identification with scientific research but not blind obedience
• rank and Jacobson

  • Replicated Hofling et als study but altered some aspects of it that may have maximised obedience
  • They were asked face to face by a doctor they knew to administer an overdose of Valium (a drug they would have been familiar with)
  • They had chance to discuss the order with each other
  • Under these circumstances only 2/18 obeyed