Describing the study - AO1

Front: What was the aim of Milgram’s study?

Back: (Refer to the other side of the page.)

Front: How were participants recruited for Milgram’s study?

Back: Through an advert in a newspaper asking for male participants to take part in a study of memory and learning.

Front: What were the criteria for participants in Milgram’s study?

Back:

• Any occupation apart from students.

• Payment of $4.50 for participation.

• 40 participants.

• Age range of 20-50 years.

• From New Haven, America.

Front: Why is sampling necessary in research?

Back: It is not always possible to include all members of a population, so researchers must select a sample that represents the wider target population to generalize findings.

Front: What is a volunteer sample?

Back: A sampling method where participants select themselves to be part of the study.

Front: Where did Milgram’s study take place?

Back: The University of Yale.

Front: What were participants told about their ability to withdraw?

Back: They were told they could drop out at any time.

Front: Who was “Mr. Wallace” in the experiment?

Back: A confederate (an actor), who participants believed was another real participant.

Front: Who was “Mr. Williams” in the experiment?

Back: Another confederate, acting as the experimenter. He briefed both participants on how some people learn better through punishment.

Front: How were roles assigned in the study?

Back: Roles of “teacher” and “learner” were allocated through a rigged lottery, ensuring that the real participant always got the teacher role.

Front: What happened to the learner at the start of the experiment?

Back: The learner (confederate) was seated and strapped down in the electric shock chair.

Front: What happened to the teacher before starting the experiment?

Back: They received a real 45V shock to convince them the experiment was legitimate.

Front: What was in the teacher’s room?

Back: A shock generator with 30 switches increasing in 15V increments from 15V to 450V, labeled with terms like “slight shock” and “XXX”.

Front: What was the task of the teacher in the experiment?

Back: The teacher read a list of word pairs, and the learner had to select the correct answer from four options.