Milgram

Research method

Controlled observation

Sampling technique

Self-selecting via newspaper adverts and leaflets

Sample

40 males aged 20-50. Range of occupations

Advertised aim

Study of learning and memory

Actual aim

Study of destructive obedience to an authority figure

The learner

"Mr Wallace" a confederate

Learning task

Recalling word pairs

Teachers instructions for wrong answer

Give shock, state correct answer, 15v increase each time

Procedure if teacher tries to stop

Verbal prods e.g. "Please continue", "the experiment requires that you continue"

At 300 volt shock level what does learner do?

Kicks the wall

After 300 volt shock level what does learner do?

No more answers given

All participants go up to

300 volts

65% (26) go up to

450 volts

Sample shock given to teacher

45 volts

What happens at the end of the study

Participants are debriefed and reunited with Mr Wallace

What self report question were P's asked at the end

"On a scale of 1 to 14, 1 being no pain and 14 being extremely painful, how painful were the last shocks you administered?"

Average pain rating given

13.42

Qualitative findings

P's sweated, shook, grimaced, had nervous laughter