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Milgram (1963)

Milgram (1963) . Behavioural study of obedience . Why did it happen?. What was this place?. Why did these people die?. Time and a place? . Maybe it could only happen there. Surely it couldn’t happen here… . A Dispositional View. “The Germans are different!”

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Milgram (1963)

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  1. Milgram (1963) Behavioural study of obedience Milgram (1963)

  2. Why did it happen? • What was this place? • Why did these people die? Milgram (1963)

  3. Time and a place? • Maybe it could only happen there • Surely it couldn’t happen here… Milgram (1963)

  4. A Dispositional View • “The Germans are different!” • Maybe something about the German character… Culture?... Racial biology?... German history? • Maybe they’re a CRUEL NATION??? Milgram (1963)

  5. A SITUATIONAL view • Stanley Milgram suggests the SITUATION leads to cruelty • Atrocities happen when people are led by AUTHORITY FIGURES Milgram (1963)

  6. The Sample • 40 people responded to a local newspaper ad • They VOLUNTEERED (a SELF-SELECTING sample) • They knew they’d be PAID • Is this a REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE? Milgram (1963)

  7. The Setting • Yale University • One of the most prestigious American colleges • Awe-inspiring? • Why might obedience by higher here than in a downtown office? Milgram (1963)

  8. The Big Lie • Participants were DECEIVED • Told the experiment was about learning & memory • Draw straws – will they be TEACHER or LEARNER? • In reality, it’s rigged – they always get to be the teacher • Told they can withdraw at any time… Milgram (1963)

  9. Meet the victim! • Mild mannered man • Seems to be another volunteer – actually he’s a CONFEDERATE • Watch him get strapped to the electric chair! • Electrodes on his wrists Milgram (1963)

  10. The Shock Generator • In the next room • Delivers shocks: 15 V, then 30V, then 45 V, up to 450 V • Each switch is labelled (eg. DANGER: SEVERE SHOCK) • P gets to feel a 45 V shock (ouch!) Milgram (1963)

  11. Meet the Experimenter • Very stern and strict • (Actually, a school teacher) • Reads a list of word-pairs for the LEARNER to memorise • Then reads out one word, with multiple choice of 4 answers for its “pair” • Learner presses a button to answer • If it’s right, move on • Wrong? Participant has to press the switch… BZZZZ-ZZZZ Milgram (1963)

  12. It’s important to remember… • Participant cannot see the learner • Participant is stuck in the room with the experimenter • Each wrong answer, the shock goes up by 15 V Milgram (1963)

  13. The other Big Lie • No shocks are really happening • The learner’s cries of pain are actually tape recorded • At 135 V, learner starts complaining of heart condition • At 300 V, he starts kicking the wall • Goes silent – stops answering • Is he dead??? Milgram (1963)

  14. The Verbal Prods • Many participants start to question the experimenter • “Please continue” • “The experiment requires that you continue” • “It is absolutely essential that you continue” • “You have no other choice: you must go on” Milgram (1963)

  15. What did people do? • 5 participants walked out at 300 V, 4 at 315 V; 31 continued to deliver shocks • Sweating, trembling, stuttering • Groaning, biting lips, digging fingernails into palms • 14 laugh nervously, 3 collapse • 27 (68%) continue to 450 V (max) Milgram (1963)

  16. Reactions • Not what Milgram expected – he thought most people would refuse • Expected only “psychopaths” would go all the way • American Psychological Association was indignant – Milgram suspended • Later cleared his name & honoured Milgram (1963)

  17. Ethics • Deception? Cruelty? Difficult to withdraw? Long-term trauma? • Milgram debriefed participants • Psychological testing – no trauma • Friendly meeting with the “victim” • Questionnaire: 84% “glad they participated”; 74% “learned something important” Milgram (1963)

  18. Milgram’s Conclusions • AUTONOMOUS STATE – normal, you make up your own mind • AGENTIC STATE – you give up your free will • AGENTIC SHIFT – in presence of authority • Often a good thing for society – sometimes bad though… Milgram (1963)

  19. Further thoughts • Milgram did 19 further studies • Less obedient when victim is close/visible • Less obedient when experimenter is far away/absent • Less obedient when with others • No gender differences • Setting makes little difference Milgram (1963)

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