Milgrim Flashcards
(7 cards)
Milgrim: methodology
The study was in laboratory environment.
Controlled observation not an experiment, as levels of shock were not independent variables.
Participants: Newspaper advertisement, for research in memory and learning. volunteer sample. Selected 40 males aged 20-50 years from volunteers. Paid £4.50 for coming to lab.
Milgrim: Procedures
Participants greeted by ‘experimenter’ dressed in technician’s coat. Another ‘participant’ was in the lab, well mannered likeable accountant, Mr Wallace. Both were accomplices of Milgrim, so were confederates.
Participants drew slips of paper to determine who plays teacher and learner, but was rigged- Mr Wallace always learner.
Teacher taken to adjoining room and seated in front of shock generator, had 30 switches in increasing voltage 15-450. Labelled, with 450 as XXX- possibly fatal.
Teacher told to give increasing shock at every wrong answer. Experimenter given prods if teacher hesitated.
Teacher fully debriefed then interviewed.
Milgrim: findings
Quantitative: prior to study, 14 Yale students estimated up to 3% would administer 450(XXX).
Found this to be a wild underestimate. At 300v when learner protested, 5 did not continue. 26/40 65% administered 450. Does mean 35% defied authority.
Qualitative: many nervous and extreme tension.
14 participants ‘nervous laughter and smiling’ acting against own values.
3 participants had ‘full blown uncontrollable seizures’. One so violent research session had to be stopped.
Milgrim: conclusions
Findings due to situational factors
1. Location prestigious university
2. Assumed experimenter had worthy purpose
3. Did not wish to disrupt study, felt under obligation for volunteering
4. Novel situation for participant, did not know how to behave
5. Participants had very little time to resolve at 300, didn’t know victim would remain silent for rest
6. Assumed discomfort minimal and temporary, outweighed by scientific gains.
7. Conflict between 2 deeply ingrained tendencies- not to harm someone and to obey those we perceive as legitimate authorities
Milgrim: evaluation (internal validity) 1
P > High internal validity due to high levels of control.
E >The experiment took place in a lab at Yale with standardised procedures, such as using the same script and prompts for all participants.
E > This meant extraneous variables were controlled, so Milgrim could establish a clear causal relationship.
L > Increases the reliability of findings, scientifically rigorous.
Milgrim: evaluation (ethical issues) 2
P > A major concern with Mlgrim’s study is the use of deception and risk of psychological harm.
E > Participants mislead about intent of research, and many had extreme reactions such as seizures.
E > Research ethically must not cause greater stress than in every day life, and this clearly violates that guideline.
L > Raises questions about the application and use of this study, and if ends justify means.
Milgrim: evaluation (applications) 3
P> However, Milgram’s research has important real-world applications.
E > It helps understand how people commit harmful acts under the influence of authority, such as during war crimes or institutional abuse.
E > These insights have been used to train professionals and shape ethical guidelines in settings like the military and healthcare.
L > This makes the study highly valuable despite its limitations, and can therefore be justified as ethical due to benefits outweighing costs.
