Milgram, obedience & environmental determinism Probably the most famous psychology experiment Hugely controversial Opened doors to areas of the human psyche which had never been systematically studied before.

The set up Milgram advertised for people to take part in a ‘memory’ experiment. 40 men were used, aged between 20 and 50. One pp given the role of ‘teacher’, the other of ‘learner’ The ‘learner’ was a confederate- an actor told to play the part of mild-mannered accountant ‘Mr. Wallace’.

‘I’ve gotta shock that man?’ Pp was sat in front of a ‘shock generator’ with switches ranging from 15 - 450 volts, increasing in 15 volts increments. The experimenter gave the pp a real 45 volt shock for ‘authenticity’. The participant then watched as the experimenter hooked electrodes from the shock generator to Mr. Wallace, and strapped him in to ‘prevent excessive movement’. The pp then went into another room.

The task The participant had to read a list of words, and Mr. Wallace had to make a pair out of one of the words. The pp had to give Mr. Wallace a shock every time he got a word pair wrong. The shocks increased in intensity. Milgram was interested at what point the pp would refuse to carry on.

Pressure applied The experimenter had 4 standard responses when pps displayed a reluctance to continue. “Please go on” “The experiment requires that you continue” “It is absolutely essential that you continue” “You have no other choice- you must go on”

Mr Wallace in pain? Mr Wallace never actually got any shocks. After the pp left the room he unhooked himself and played tape recorded responses to the increasing voltage of shocks. These responses included ‘ow’, ‘ugh’, ‘let me out of here’, ‘II refuse to answer any more questions’, I am no longer a part of this experiment,’ ‘my heart is bothering me’. After 315 volts he fell silent!!

Free will?? Milgram felt that participants, other than the 1% psychotic, should have left once they felt uncomfortable. Milgram’s genius was to make the person feel as if they had no free will, even though they were adults, had volunteered for the study, and were not physically restrained in any way.

Results 65% of pps gave the full 450 volts 100% of pps gave at least 300 volts. Nobody, including Milgram and his colleagues, would have guessed that high. People continued giving shocks despite crying, giggling uncontrollably, arguing, shaking and sweating.

Milgram’s theory Milgram says that we have an evolutionary disposition to obey those in authority This comes from listening to the ‘alpha male’ in times past Listening to and following the alpha male meant an enhanced chance of survival. Obeying others is part of nature. We have little, or no free will in certain situations.