milgram's research

• what was milgram's research aim?

  wanted to assess obedience levels
• what was milgram's baseline procedure?

  • (1963) 40 US males took part in study at Yale on 'memory' and got paid $4.50
  • Ps introduced to the confederate- Learner
  • fixed draw is done so the naïve participants are always the Teacher
  • the Ps can't see the Learner and gave them electric shocks for every wrong answer on memory test= increased by 15V and up to 450V
• what were milgram's findings?

  • every Ps gave shocks up to 300V and 12.5% stopped here
  • 65% continued to 450V
  • observations of people: sweating, biting nails, shaking and 3 has seizures
  • 84% said they were glad to have taken part, in questionnaire
  • all Ps debriefed after study
• what were milgram's conclusions?

  • situational factors were important
  • US Ps were willing to obey orders, even it harms others
  • but suspected there were other factors encouraging behaviour
• what are the evaluations for milgram's research?

  • Supporting Evidence= Game of Death tv show (PET)
  • Internal Validity= Orne-Holland 1968 and however-Hofling 1966 (PETH)
  • Individual Differences= Kilham-Mann 1974 (PET)
  • Ethical Issues= protection from physical and psychological harm (PETH)