Milgram

• Aim

  Milgram’s study aimed to investigate the extent to which individuals would obey an authority figure by administering what they believed were painful and potentially harmful electric shocks to another person, even when such actions conflicted with their personal conscience.

  
• Sample: A group of 40 male participants, recruited from the New Haven area, each paid $4.50 were deceived into thinking they were giving electric shocks to another person.
• Role Assignment

  Each participant was assigned the role of “teacher,” while a confederate acted as the “learner." In a fixed lottery.

  
• The teacher was instructed to administer an electric shock to the learner each time the learner gave an incorrect answer on a word-pair test.
• Shocks were delivered in 15-volt increments, starting at 15 volts and rising sequentially (15V, 30V, 45V, etc.) until reaching a maximum of 450 volts.
• Pre-recorded learner responses were played at critical points, with escalating expressions of discomfort and distress as the shock levels increased.
• An experimenter, dressed in a lab coat to signal authority, was present in the room. When a teacher hesitated or expressed doubts, the experimenter used a series of standardised verbal prompts (e.g., “Please continue,” “The experiment requires that you continue,” “It is absolutely essential that you continue,” and “You have no other choice, you must continue”) to encourage compliance.
• Debriefing

  After the session ended—whether the teacher stopped before reaching 450 volts or continued to the maximum shock level—participants were thoroughly debriefed. They were informed that the shocks were not real, the learner was a confederate, and the true purpose of the study was to examine obedience to authority. This debriefing was essential to alleviate any distress or guilt caused by their participation.
• Standardisation

  Every P had the same confederate, Mr Wallace.
• In Milgram’s original experiment, approximately 65% of participants (around 26 out of 40) were willing to deliver the maximum shock of 450 volts when prompted by the authority figure.
• What was the starting voltage for participants in the shock experiment?

  15 volts
• How did participants increase the shock levels during the experiment?

  In 15-volt increments
• What was the maximum shock level reached by many participants?

  Above 300 volts
• What observable stress responses did many "teachers" show during the experiment?

  Sweating, trembling, stuttering, nervous laughter
• How did participants respond to the experimenter's verbal prods?

  They complied despite their distress
• What internal conflict did many participants experience during the experiment?

  Hesitating, pausing, voicing moral objections
• What did the experimenter's insistence demonstrate about authority?

  It showed the powerful influence of authority
• What are the key findings regarding participant behavior in the shock experiment?

  • Participants began at 15 volts.
  • Increased shocks in 15-volt increments.
  • Many reached above 300 volts, 65% to 450 volts.
  • Observable stress responses included sweating and trembling.
  • Participants complied despite distress and moral objections.
  • High overall obedience rate with variability in stopping points.
  • Every P went to at least 300V
• Who issues the orders in obedience?

  A figure of authority with power to punish
• What historical context motivated Milgram's research?

  Obedience to Hitler's commands during WWII
• What was Milgram's hypothesis regarding the German population?

  They might be more obedient than others
• What was the baseline procedure Milgram designed for his study?

  A method to assess obedience levels in people
• How many men participated in Milgram's study?

  40 men
• What was the participants' belief about the study's focus?

  It was about memory and punishment
• What role was assigned to the participants in Milgram's study?

  Teacher
• What was the maximum voltage administered in Milgram's study?

  450 volts
• What was the initial voltage for shocks in the study?

  15 volts
• What happened at 300 volts during the experiment?

  The learner banged on the wall and complained
• What was the response of the researcher if the teacher wanted to stop?

  Verbal prods to continue the experiment
• What percentage of participants delivered 450 volts?

  65%
• What signs of distress did participants show during the study?

  Sweating, nail biting, and trembling
• What conclusion did Milgram draw from his study?

  Ordinary people obey authority even harmfully
• What was a strength of Milgram's findings?

  They were replicated in a French documentary
• What did the French documentary reveal about obedience?

  80% delivered maximum shocks to a man
• What did Perry's research in 2013 suggest about participants' beliefs?

  Half believed the shocks were real
• What did Sheridan and King's study demonstrate?


  People obey even with real shocks
• What ethical guidelines did Milgram breach?

  Deception and psychological harm to participants
• What are the key elements of Milgram's study procedure?

  • 40 male participants
  • Rigged role assignment (teacher/learner)
  • Electric shocks administered for wrong answers
  • Shocks increased from 15 to 450 volts
  • Learner's distress was simulated
  • Researcher used verbal prods to encourage obedience
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of Milgram's research?

  Strengths:

  • Findings replicated in other studies
  • Provides insight into obedience to authority

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Low internal validity
  • Ethical breaches (deception, harm)
• How do Milgram's findings relate to real-world obedience?

  • Ordinary people can commit harmful acts
  • Understanding obedience helps explain historical atrocities
  • Importance of authority in social influence