AO1

• Define obedience

  -Obedience is a form of social influence in which an individual follows a direct order. ​

  -The person issuing the order is usually a figure of authority, who has the power to punish when obedient behaviour is not forthcoming .
• Aim?

  -To investigate whether an ordinary person would obey unreasonable orders from an authority figure.
• Method?

  -Ppts were told they were taking part in an experiment to investigate the effect of punishment on learning’​

  -Random role allocation was rigged so true ppt was always the teacher
• Ppts were instructed to

  -Ppt was instructed to administer shocks to learner for each wrong answer they gave, increasing them in 15v increments each time​

  -If ppt tried to stop, experimenter used 1 of 4 verbal prods

  -Experimenter wore a lab coat which signalled their position of authority.
• What were the results

  -100% of ppts reached 300v

  -65% of ppts continued to 450v (which is potentially fatal)
• What was the conclusion

  -People will obey an order (even one that causes harm) if they believe the person given the order is in a position of legitimate authority.