Stanley Milgram

What is interesting about this experiment?

What problems are there with this experiment?

Key terms for psychology The experiment is said to be low in ecological validity i.e. it cannot be generalised to everyday life. Participants may have just been responding to demand characteristics. These are cues in a situation which “demand” that we act in a certain way. The experiment was high in experimental realism: the participants felt the situation was real.

Key terms for Psychology In an experiment, an experimenter manipulates or changes a variable to see what effect this has. This variable is known as the independent variable. (IV) An experiment will look at the effect of the IV on the dependent variable (DV). The DV needs to be operationalised so that it can be measured. What was the DV in Milgram’s study? How was the DV operationalised? In pairs, think of a simple experiment and identify the IV and DV. How will you operationalise or measure the DV?

Key terms for Psychology For results of an experiment to be generalised, a sample needs to be representative of the population at large. But many samples are unrepresentative, often white, middle class students. Many experiments show an underlying attitude of ethnocentricism (favouring one’s own culture) Psychology uses many different ways or methodologies to find out about human behaviour. Which methodology did Milgram use? What other methodologies can you think of?

Key terms for Milgram’s study Prods Cognitive dissonance. This is a state of mind where one is experiencing conflict between two different thoughts or feelings, creating a state of anxiety. The participants moved from an autonomous state to an agentic state in terms of their behaviour. A malevolent authority figure A confederate or stooge

Why did so many participants obey? Presence of authority figure: grey lab coat Prods encouraging participants to continue Prestigious university (Yale) Volunteers felt obliged as they were paid Volunteers felt obliged as they were volunteers They felt that this was what was expected of them. (they responded to demand characteristics) People didn’t believe the situation was real (??) They felt that the research was important They could just as equally have been the learner The increments were very small i.e. 15 volts

Key terms! A study has this if the participants feel the situation is real. Name for the prompts which the experimenter gave the teacher. A study has this if you can generalise its results to a real life situation. A state of conflict brought about by having two opposing thoughts You are in this state if you are acting on behalf of someone else.

Key terms Cues which participants respond to when they are in an experimental/artificial situation. A study has this if the situation is comparable to real life circumstances. You are in this state if you act independently. A sample needs to be this if we can generalise results to all members of society. An attitude where people favour their own group/culture. A word which refers to different ways of carrying out research. IV/DV

Key terms Can you think of 6 ethical guidelines which should be adhered to by psychologists?

What if…….?

Spot the difference!! Results:6-0Conclusion? “We lost” Implications? i.e. what follows from this conclusion? We need to train more/We may be relegated

Other thoughts Some psychologists have responded negatively to Milgram’s research as they claim it has provided an “obedience alibi”. What do you think this means? What is your opinion?