1. Chapter 10 Social Psychology Title: Obey at Any Cost Author: S. Milgram (1963). Presented by Kelley Reinhardt May 5, 2004

2. Would you obey and listen at all times??? Would you purposely shock someone if someone told you to do this??? Are they crazy???

3. Stanley Milgram- Yale University. Milgram’s research on obedience and behavior has made it’s mark in psychology. Students may be familiar with it. Research methodology issues and human ethics have been discussed in relation to the study performed. He wanted to understand why people may hurt someone else if directed to do so.

4. Obey equals power?? Do people fall into a power trap where they forget their morals?? Milgram wanted to re-create a situation that would be as realistic as possible.

5. Proposition- Human beings tend to listen and obey those who have authority or a control over them. This may be in violation of their own beliefs, but regardless, they may still perform the undesired action to please the authority figure.

6. The Method- Milgram created a shock generator with switches labeled with voltage measurements. The switches had classifications such as “slight shock”, “moderate shock”, and “severe shock”. Please keep in mind, people would not actually receive the shocks, it would appear that way.

7. The Method- 40 males between 20 and 50 years of age. 15 skilled or unskilled. 16 white-collar type. 9 professionals. They would be paid a small sum regardless of what happened. Tested individually. Two other participants as well. A 47 year old confederate posing as a subject and an actor posing as an experimenter.

8. The Method- Each participant was seated next to the “confederate”. The experimenter stated how the test was going to measure the effect punishment has on learning. The actual subject would always be the teacher. The “fake” subject would always be the learner. This was all a cover to the real purpose of the experiment.

9. The Method- The learner was led to a room, where he was strapped to chair and connected to electrodes which were linked with the generator. The learner would be able to push buttons to indicate his answer to the teacher. The test involved word memorization. A shock was to be given each time, an incorrect answer was given.

10. The Method- With each incorrect answer, the shock level would increase. With everything pre-arranged, the learner would follow the same routine for each teacher. As the shock level rose, so did the learner’s dramatic reactions. The teacher was ordered to continue no matter what.

11. The Method- Many of the subjected learners would seek help from the experimenter on whether or not to continue. Commands were given to continue at different levels. Obedience measures were recorded by the shock level each time a subject wanted to stop. If a subject continued, they were obedient subjects. If they stopped, they were defiant subjects.

12. The Results- What happened?? A group of Yale seniors were asked about the study and what they thought might happen. It was averaged to be about 1.2% of the people would allow the shock to be very high. The subjects each continued to the 300 level, which is an intense shock. About 65% continued to follow orders and proceeded to reach the top of the scale. Even with mixed feelings, they continued.

13. What would the aftermath be?? After the experiment, the subjects were explained to the purpose of the study and told of the “cover”. Basically, everything came into the open.

14. The Discussion- First- The subjects had a great strength to completely obey. The obedience level was clearly evident in the reactions of the subjects. Second- The subjects displayed tense and anxious feelings during the procedure. Yet this did not create hesitation among some subjects.

15. The Discussion- Subject’s point of view Yale University-”I am in good hands here”. The experiment seems relevant and I chose to volunteer. The “learner” volunteered as well, he has an obligation. It is a coincidence, I happen to pick out the teacher. I am getting money for this- I better do it!! The shocks will be painful, but not dangerous.

16. The Importance- Milgram performed this on other subjects(types) later on. Similar results existed. Related experiments were done to demonstrate conditions that may promote or give limitations on obedience. A physical or emotional distance between the teacher and learner could have an effect. The distance between the experimenter and the teacher affected the level of obedience. A subject never chose to shock a learner very high-Thank goodness!!!

17. Critique- Ethical treatment- How would one feel if asked to do this ?? 1.Baumrind, (1964; Miller, 1986). Stress was pertinent reaction to participating in the experiment, which could be everlasting. Once, the truth was revealed,chances are the subjects were angry, confused and would display signs of distrust. 2.How valid were the results?? Obedience in the lab did not necessarily be of real life. 3.Milgram retaliated by interviewing his subjects. The majority were pleased to have participated. There were no long term, psychological effects either.

18. Milgram quotes- “A person who comes to the laboratory is an active, choosing adult, capable of accepting or rejecting the prescriptions for action addressed to him” (Milgram, 1964, p.852).

19. Further Applications- 1.Blass (1999)- supported Milgram’s findings, rates have not changed, no gender differences. Further stated personality and belief systems can predict obedience. 2.Herrera (1997)- deception is needed. 3.Kagel ( 1998)- discussed how deception is used in many situations. 4.Wendler (1996)- deception and a higher level of informed consent.