Milgram's Shock Experiment

What was the aim of Milgram’s study?

To see if individuals would obey authority even if it contradicted personal morals (based on Nazi’s - Adolf Eichmann’s trial)

What was the sample used in Milgram’s study?

40 American males

What was the method of Milgram’s study?

Participants is the ‘teacher’ and a confederate is the ‘learner’, set up in separate rooms, learner has to recall word pairs if wrong they get an increasing shock delivered by the teacher, if they tried to stop the researcher would urge them to continue

How many participants administered up to 300V?

100%

How many participants administered the full 450V?

65%

Why is this experiment frowned upon?

It went against all ethical codes and cause participants high amounts of distress

Is Milgram’s study generalisable?

No, the sample is biased and lacks populational validity as only white males were used

Is Milgram’s study reliable?

Yes, it is a controlled laboratory situations so is easily replicable

Is Milgram’s study ethical?

No, no informed consent, no right to withdraw, high distress caused, deception

How did the participants justify why they continued?

They stated it was only as they were being told to do so and wouldn’t have done it otherwise

What is moral strain?

People becoming uncomfortable with their behaviour as it goes against their moral values

How did participants in Milgram’s study show moral strain?

Hearing cries from the ‘learner’, fear of retaliation, going against morals, conflicting with the authority figure

What is the agentic state?

Meaning the participants were ‘agents’ of the authority figure so are not responsible for their actions as they are doing what they are told

What is autonomy?

Being under ones own control by making ones own decisions

What is Milgram’s Agency Theory?

The idea that our social systems e.g. hierarchy in school, family, police, has lead to obedience of authority figures

How does evolution link to the agency theory?

Individuals act to avoid aggressive/harmful situations as it is essential for survival

What is the autonomous state?

When the individual sees their actions as voluntary as they see themselves as having the power

What is the Milgram Paradigm?

Milgram established the basic method/paradigm for studying obedience