Milgram et al

• Describe one aim of the Milgram study.

  To investigate how obedient people are to an authority figure asking them to physically harm another person
• Outline the sampling technique used in the Milgram study. [4]

  Volunteer (1 mark)

  This is when the participants choose to be part of a study (1 mark).

  They responded to a direct mailing (1 mark)

  or an ad in a newspaper (1 mark)

  soliciting participants for a study on learning (1 mark)

  offering $4.50 (1 mark)
• State how many participants took part in the Milgram study. [1]

  40
• Describe the sample of participants used in the Milgram study. [3]

  N=40;

  (all) male;

  Aged 20-50 years;

  From New Haven area;

  Wide range of occupations;

  Postal clerks, teachers, salesman, engineers, laborers (1 mark for any 2);

  Range of educational levels;

  Readers of a local newspaper;

  Recruited via volunteer sampling.
• State two characteristics of the victim (learner) used in the Milgram study.

  Male;

  47 years old / in his 40s;

  Accountant;

  Irish/American;

  Mild-mannered/friendly;

  Likeable;

  White.
• The participant (teacher) was given a ‘sample shock’. Describe this procedure. [3]

  This was always given before the teacher began their role;

  It was always 45 v;

  This was done by pressing (third) switch on generator;

  It was applied to the wrist;

  Its source was a battery wired to the generator;
• Outline how Milgram ensured that the participant was never the learner. [2]

  The 'participants' drew slips from a hat;

  Both slips always had the word 'teacher' on it;

  The 'true' participant was always first to choose.
• Describe the ‘learning task’ used in the study by Milgram (obedience). [4]

  It was a paired-associate (learning) task;

  The participant read out a series of word pairs (to the learner);

  The participant then read out one word;

  Along with four terms;

  The learner then had to indicate which word had been originally paired/responded with the corresponding word;

  This was done by him pressing one of four switches;

  This lit up one of four quadrants in the answer box;

  Each incorrect answer received a shock/correct answer moved to next word.
• Describe the shock generator used in the Milgram study. [4]

  It consisted of 30 lever switches/buttons;

  Each switch was clearly labelled with a voltage;

  The volts ranged from 15 V to 450 V;

  Each button went up by 15 V levels;

  Verbal designations for groups of four voltage levels;

  Last two were labelled (simply) XXX;

  Upon depressing a switch a red light appeared;

  An electric buzzing was emitted;

  A blue light labelled voltage energizer would light up;

  Labelled Slight Shock to Danger Severe Shock (any two of these can be

  credited for max 1 mark)
• What was the voltage increment from one switch to the next on the generator?

  
  

  15 V
• What label was underneath the switches from 375–420 volts on the generator?


  Danger/Severe (Shock)
• Identify two examples of signs of ‘tension’ that were shown by the ‘teachers’ during the study. [2]

  Sweat(ing);

  Tremble/trembling;

  Stuttering;

  Biting lip;

  Groaning;

  Dig nails into flesh;

  Nervous laughing;

  Smiling;

  Violent convulsion/seizure;
• Describe the shock instructions the participant (teacher) was told to follow when the victim (learner) gave an incorrect answer. [3]

  They were told to give a shock to learner each time they gave an incorrect response;

  This was done by pressing a switch/button

  They were told to move one switch higher each time/increase by 15 V each time;

  They were told to say the voltage level;

  Before giving that shock level;
• When the participant (teacher) pressed a switch on the shock generator, there were several changes.

  An electric buzzing sound happened;

  An (electric) blue light labelled energizer lit up;

  The dial on generator swung to the right;

  Various relay clicks were heard.
• State the lowest and highest voltage shocks that was labelled on the shock generator.

  15, 450
• State the first prod the experimenter used when a participant refused to continue.


  Please continue.
• Describe what the experimenter said if a participant asked whether the learner was suffering permanent injury. [2]

  Although the shocks may be painful;

  There is no real permanent (tissue) damage;

  So please go on

  Then prods 2/3 given if still refused.
• Explain why Milgram ensured the participant met the learner at the end of the study. [2]

  To make the study ethical;

  So that the participant would leave in a state of well-being;

  Reduce any tensions between participant and stooge/Milgram.
• How many participants pressed the maximum voltage switch, labelled 450 volts?


  26
• Outline one conclusion from the Milgram study. [2]

  People will follow/listen to an authority figure even if it means harming another person

  People are willing to harm someone if responsibility is taken away/passed on to someone else

  Individuals appear to be much more obedient to an authority figure than we might expect

  When people are given orders to act destructively they will be experience high levels of stress/anxiety
• Describe the ‘preliminary run’ that participants had to complete before the ‘regular run’ in the Milgram study. [3]

  The participant/teacher was given 10 words to read (to the learner);

  Three of these were neutral/ones the learner would get correct;

  Seven of these were 'incorrect' answers;

  So a voltage of 105v was administered;
• Suggest one reason for obedience in this study, other than the payment. [1]

  Being in a university;

  The experimenter's prods;

  The way the experimenter was dressed;

  The authority figure;
• Outline why Jamie is correct that this study is unethical, using evidence in your answer. [4]

  The participants were deceived about the procedure (1 mark outline)

  They did not know that they were not giving electric shocks to a learner (1 mark evidence);

  Many showed signs of anxiety and stress when giving the shocks so were psychologically harmed(1 mark evidence);

  They were given prods if they wanted to stop so they were not really allowed to withdraw(1 mark evidence);
• Describe one strength of the Milgram study. [2]

  The procedure was standardised so replication would be easier (e.g. the prods given), another research team could conduct it again to test for reliability (2 marks)

  
  

  The measure of obedience was quantitative and objective (e.g. the maximum voltage that a P would give) so comparisons between Ps is meaningful/valid (2 marks)

  
  

  The actual aim of the study about obedience was hidden (from Ps)

  so there would be low demand characteristic/increased 'real' behaviour (2 marks)
• Explain one methodological (not ethical) weakness of the study by Milgram.

  The study lacks mundane realism (1 mark); this is because the act of shocking a stranger if they get a word pair wrong is not a real life task and they are likely to behave differently in the real world compared to a lab (1 mark); which may limit the ecological validity.

  
  

  The study may lack generalisability (1 mark); this is because the sample was of only 40 white males from New Haven (1 mark), which is not representative of the larger population, so the results are likely not applicable, particularly to women.
• Outline one assumption of the social approach and explain why the Milgram experiment is from the social approach.

  1. Behaviour, cognitions and emotions are influenced by social contexts, social environments and groups.

  2. Behaviour, cognitions and emotions are influenced by the actual, implied or imagined presence of others.

  For example, in Milgram's study, the experimenter in the lab coat used prods to get them to continue to give electric shocks (1 mark)
• Suggest one real-world application based on the Milgram study. Your suggestion must be ethical.

  A teacher could get students to be more obedient in the classroom (1 mark: what) by wearing clothes that show authority like a technician's coat (1 mark: how)

  
  

  Soldiers could be encouraged to be more obedient (1 mark: what) as an authority figure can give out commands in a firm tone/stern voice (1 mark: how)

  
  

  Patients can be encouraged to adhere to a new drug treatment (1 mark: what). The doctor can use prods like 'it is essential you take these for two weeks' (1 mark: how).

  
  

  People can be encouraged to take up a life saving vaccine (1 mark: what). Doctors can appear on advertisements in a laboratory coat telling people to have the vaccine (1 mark: how).
• Outline the debate about individual and situational explanations in psychology. [2]

  The situational side refers to behaviour from factors in the external environment (e.g. home life)ersonality)

  The situational side refers to behaviour from factors in the external environment (e.g. home life)
• State the percentage of participants who pressed the 300–volt level switch. [1]

  100(%)
• Outline the payment given to participants. [2]

  They were paid $4.50.

  Told it was simply for coming to the laboratory.

  They were told they could keep it no matter what happened.
• Describe the feedback from the learner (victim) that was given to the teacher (participant) during this study. [4]

  These were predetermined responses;

  There tended to be three wrong answers to one correct;

  No vocal response is heard up until Shock Level 300;

  When 300v given, the learner pounds on the wall;

  From this point on there are no answers from the learner;

  The learner pounds again at 315v;

  After that there is no pounding or answers given;
• One conclusion was that people find it stressful to follow destructive orders from a person in authority. Outline one other conclusion from this study. [2]

  -Individuals appear to be much more obedient to an authority figure than we might expect (2 marks);

  
  

  -People will follow / listen to an authority figure even if it means harming another person (2 marks);

  
  

  -People are willing to harm someone if responsibility is taken away / passed on to someone else (2 marks)
• Describe the experimenter feedback given to a participant if they did not want to continue with this study. [4]

  -The experimenter responded with a series of (four) prods;

  -These were standardised/scripted;

  -For example, please continue / please go on was the first (1 mark available for any example)

  -If the first prod was unsuccessful / the participant insisted to stop / participant refused to continue, then the experimenter moved on to the next one (and so on);

  -The tone was firm (but not impolite);

  -The prods were started again if the participant showed reluctance to continue;

  -There were special prods if physical injury was asked about;

  -Experimenter stated that shocks are painful but no damage would happen;

  -If the participant still refused a final prod was used; Experimenter stated that whether they liked it or not, all words must be learned;

  -They were told that if the learner did not answer / absence of answer then a shock needed to be given;

  -If the final prod was unsuccessful / participant stopped reading words, then the study ended.
• At the end of the study by Milgram (obedience), the experimenter used an ‘interview and dehoax’ procedure with his participants. Describe this procedure. [4]

  -At the end of the study each participant was debriefed;

  -They were asked to rate how painful they thought the shocks were;

  (On a scale) out of 14 / 14 point scale / 14 = most painful;

  -Open-ended questions were asked / asked them how there were feeling;

  -The participant met Mr Wallace / stooge;

  -To show that no harm had happened / re-assure the participant that no harm had occurred;

  -This was conducted in a friendly manner;

  -The participant was allowed to ask any further questions.
• Studies in social psychology can be used to help managers in the workplace. Suggest how the study by Milgram could be used to help a manager with disobedient workers. Your suggestion must be ethical. [2]


  e.g. A manager could get workers to be more obedient in the workplace by changing what they wear / wear clothes that appear to be authoritative (1 mark: what) by wearing clothes that show this authority like a technician's coat (1 mark: how).
• Explain one similarity between the study by Piliavin et al. (subway Samaritans) and the study by Milgram (obedience). [4]

  -Both involved deceiving participants. In Milgram Ps believed they were harming another participant, while in Piliavin Ps thought they had witnessed a genuine collapse.

  -Both used quantitative data in a way that was clearly operationalized. For Milgram - the number of volts the P was willing to deliver. For Piliavin, the number or latency (in seconds) of the first helper.

  -Both sought to standardize as many variables as possible. Milgram provided a specific script of prods for the "experimenter" to deliver, while Piliavin conducted the study on the same exact route each time with a scripted victim.
• Who conducted the original study into obedience?

  Stanley Milgram
• Milgram's study was conducted at Yale University in 1961.
• Milgram's study was inspired by the trial of Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann
• What was Milgram's hypothesis for his obedience study?

  Ordinary people obey authority