Milgram - Content Study

Question 1

What was Milgram’s aim?

Answer 1

To see if Germans were ‘biologically evil’ following the holocaust
To see if American males would shock a participant if told to by an authority figure

Question 2

What was his sample?

Answer 2

40 American males via opportunity sampling, aged 20-50

Question 3

What was Milgram’s procedure?

Answer 3

• Participant met ‘Mr Wallace’ and the ‘Yale researcher’.
• Fixed lottery, Mr Wallace was the learner, participant was the teacher.
• Mr Wallace was shocked with a 45V shock and explained to the participant to increase the shock by 15V every time he got a question wrong.
• Mr Wallace was put in another room and answered questions. When the shock reached 300V he was crying, asking them to stop, until he went silent at 450V.
  -The participants could not leave the experiment until after 4 prompts – the researcher said the ‘experiment requires you continue’. Or until they reached 450V, believing they had killed Mr. Wallace.

Question 4

What was the results of Milgram’s experiment?

Answer 4

• 65% went to 450V
• 100% went to 300V
• clear signs of moral strain, nervous laughter, etc.

Question 5

Conclusion of Milgram?

Answer 5

Germans are no different to other culture.
Ordinary Americans would obey an authority figure even when uncomfortable doing so

Question 6

How is Milgram generalisable?

Answer 6

20-50 year olds
OTOH - all had to be males as they were being compared to the soldiers in the holocaust.

Question 7

How is Milgram NOT generalisable?

Answer 7

Ethnocentric - cannot compare to other cultures, all Americans.
Androcentric - cannot compare to women.

Question 8

How is Milgram reliable?

Answer 8

Very standardised.
4 prompts
Same confederate
Same 15V increments
Fixed lottery

Question 9

How is Milgram applicable?

Answer 9

Useful for understanding atrocities like the holocaust and the importance of perceived authority like police uniform or leaders in gang culture.

Question 10

How is Milgram NOT applicable?

Answer 10

very socially sensitive, justifies behaviour of the Nazis

Question 11

How is Milgram valid?

Answer 11

Low demand characteristics, didn’t know they were being studied.

Question 12

How is Milgram NOT valid?

Answer 12

Low Ecological Validity - structured setting.
Low Mundane Realism - not a realistic scenario for obedience.

Question 13

How is Milgram Ethical?

Answer 13

Confidentiality, no backlash on their career/life as their identities remained hidden.

Question 14

How is Milgram NOT ethical?

Answer 14

No Informed consent
No protection from harm (digging fingers into skin, etc)
No right to withdraw until 5 prompts.