Milgram (1963) Destructive Obedience - ALL Incl Facts and FIgs

What psychology is being studied in Milgram (1963)?

The study explores obedience to authority—specifically, whether individuals will carry out harmful actions when instructed by an authority figure, as explained by Milgram’s agency theory.

What is the background to the Milgram study?

Milgram was inspired by the Holocaust and wanted to investigate how ordinary people could commit atrocities under authority. Pre-study predictions estimated less than 3% would deliver the maximum shock.

What is Milgram’s Agency Theory?

The theory suggests people shift from an autonomous state (responsible for own actions) to an agentic state (acting on behalf of authority), especially if authority appears legitimate and responsibility is displaced.

What was the aim of the study?

To determine whether individuals would obey authority figures and administer potentially lethal shocks to another person.

Describe the procedure of Milgram's study.

Participants believed they were in a memory study. They were assigned as the ‘teacher’ and instructed to administer increasing shocks for each wrong answer given by the ‘learner’ (a confederate) in another room.

What ethical issues were present?

The study used deception, lacked full informed consent, caused psychological distress, and made withdrawal difficult despite debriefing and follow-up.

What conclusions were drawn?

Ordinary people will follow orders to harm others under authority pressure. Situational factors can strongly influence obedience levels.

Evaluate the study using GRAVE.

G: Low (white US males only); R: High (controlled lab and standardised prods); A: Moderate (relevance to institutional settings); V: High internal, low ecological; E: Major ethical concerns.

What was the research method and design?

Controlled observation in a lab setting at Yale. Independent measures design. Snapshot study.

How does this study relate to CIE 9990 issues and debates?

Nurture (obedience is socially conditioned), Situational over individual, Reductionist (isolates authority influence), Snapshot, Determinism (obedience caused by pressure).

How many participants were in the study?

40 white American males aged 20–50

What sampling method was used?

Volunteer (self-selected) via newspaper ad

How much were participants paid?

$4.50

What was the highest voltage on the shock machine?

450 volts

How many participants gave the full 450v shock?

65% (26 out of 40)

What was the mean voltage administered?

368 volts

How many participants stopped before 450v?

14 (5 at 300v, 4 at 330v, others at 345–375v)

What was the estimated pain rating for 450v shock?

13.42 on a scale of 14

What were Milgram's standard prods?

1) Please continue, 2) The experiment requires you to continue, 3) It is essential you continue, 4) You have no choice, you must go on

What signs of distress were recorded?

Sweating, trembling, stuttering, biting lips, nervous laughter, digging fingernails into skin