1. CLASS 23

2. Obedience Film Famous experiment by Stanley Milgram Conducted in the early 1960s Demonstrates the power of the situation In particular, the power of authority figures

3. SUMMARY Subjects received a $4.50 payment (not contingent on finishing) Results showed found a surprising degree of compliance (even surprising to experts) Up to 65% of subjects were ‘fully obedient’ (administered electric shocks up to the XXX danger level) 50% in the version shown in class video

4. Contributing factors Over the years, several independent variables were manipulated to see the effect Psychological proximity of victim and experimenter, prestige of organization No gender So far, no country differences

5. Why do we tend to obey? Selected by evolution ? Generally adaptive for society Power hierarchies more effective? Yes, but…….

6. Ethical Issues Highly stressful situation Tension between two psychological forces: obedience & empathy Nervous laughter The experiment is now considered to be unethical

7. Recent Replications California: Burger (2009) http://thesituationist.wordpress.com/2007/12/22/the-milgram-experiment-today/ United Kingdom: Virtual reality http://bps-research-digest.blogspot.com/2006/12/classic-1960s-obediency- experiment.htmlhttp://bps-research-digest.blogspot.com/2006/12/classic-1960s-obediency- experiment.html France: Le Jeu de la Mort http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124838091