Milgram’s research into obedience

• Obedience

  A form of social influence in which an individual follows a direct order
• Obedience

  • The person issuing the order is usually an authority figure
• Aim

  Milgram designed a baseline procedure that could be used to assess obedience levels.
• Procedure

  In Milgram's study, 40 American men volunteered for a memory study. An authority figure, also a confederate, ordered the participant to give fake electric shocks to a learner in another room.
• findings

  All participants in Milgram's study gave shocks up to 300 volts. Some stopped at 300 volts, but others went up to 450 volts, showing full obedience. One participant felt extreme tension, and three even had uncontrollable seizures.
• Research support

  In a French documentary about reality TV, participants gave (fake) electric shocks in a game show setup. 80% delivered the maximum shock of 460 volts, similar to Milgram's study, supporting his findings on obedience to authority.
• Low internal validity

  Orne and Holland argued that participants in Milgram's study were 'play-acting' and didn't believe in the setup. Perry's research indicates demand characteristics influenced their behavior.
• Counterpoint

  In Sheridan and King's study, participants gave real shocks to a puppy. Despite the distress, many obeyed orders, indicating genuine obedience similar to Milgram's findings.
• Ethical issues

  Participants were deceived about roles and real shocks. Milgram debriefed them, but deception in studies can harm both participants and researchers.