Obediance Flashcards
Outline Milgram study on obedience
-trying to explain why the Germans carried out the Holocaust because they were ‘obeying orders from those in authority’.
40 men
-confederate was attacked to shock machine (didn’t actually shock them) and participant was told to ask them questions and when they answered wrong to administer a shock 0-450 volts.
- confederate shouted to get out and were in ‘pain’ and when participant didn’t want to continue researcher would encourage carry on.
- would continue until they got to 450 or refused to continue.
What were the findings and conclusion of milgrams study
Findings- all pp went up to 300 volts and 65% went to 450
-most found is very stressful and wanted to stop
Conclusion- most people will obey orders that go against their conscious if given by those in authority.As they believe they have a subordinate position to them. (Blind obedience)
Evaluation of milgrams study of obedience
X- ethical issues- right to withdraw made hard, no informed consent as were told it was a study into learning not obedience and psychological problems of distress.
X-lacks ecological validity wouldn’t shock people irl
✔️- repeated on multiple people with similar results so reliable
✔️- shows the negative effects on blind obedience and how much control authority has on us.
Outline and explain Milgrams two explanations for obeying
> go into agentic state- believe they’re under the control of others, so don’t feel personal consequences. Believe they’re just an agent of others.
- autonomous state- is when person sees themselves as acting on their own
> legitimacy of authority- believe those in authority have the right to tell us what to do as we believe they know what they’re doing and are right . We feel obliged to do as they ask us.
