Milgram (evaluation)

Question 1

Name 3 strength of the study

Answer 1

• Controlled obseverations and controls
• Standardisation and reliability
• Collection of both quantitative data and qualitative data

Question 2

Name 3 weaknesses

Answer 2

• low genersalisability
• Low ecological validty
• Multiple violation of ethical guidelines

Question 3

One strength of the study was that the method used was a controlled observation which allowed Milgram to control extraneous variables in the environment which increased the internal validity of the study.

Answer 3

• The same learner (confederate) was used across all trials in the study. (ensures the shocks given werent based on whether they felt more/less sympathetic)
• The shock generator had switches labelled from 15 volts (slight shock) to 450 volts (danger: severe shock). (ensured a clear/consistent indication of the shock’s severity and ensure they had a uniform perception of the shocks realism)

Question 4

Another strength of the study was it was conducted in a controlled artificial lab setting which allows standardised measures to be implemented which facilitates an easy replication of the studies procedure by other researchers who can establish its reliability

Answer 4

• The experimenter followed a script when explaining the task to the participants
• He also used the same standardised verbal prompts to encourage the ppt to continue with the experiment (“the experiment requires that you continue)
• The learner’s (confederate) responses were consistent for each session. This included responses to the word-pair test and banging on the wall at 300V and 315V.

Question 5

Another strength of the study was the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data creating a holistic picture of behaviour.

Answer 5

• The main measure of obedience was the voltage of the shocks delivered. This is a quantitative measurement (offers an objective record of obedience for each ppts , which made it easier to produce comparisons between ppt)
• The qualitative data consisted of the observations made of the physical and verbal behaviour of the ppts and the interviewing of each ppts. (revealed that ppts that destructive obedience triggered a stress response in ppts due to a conflict of 2 important social phenomena)

Question 6

One weakness of Milgram’s study was that was low in ecological validity, limiting the generalisations of the resuts beyond the context of the study.

Answer 6

• Ppts knew they were being observed and studied in the lab (behaviours may not be reflective of real life)
• The task of shocking the learner after every incorrect response lacks mundane realism as there are almost no instances in which this would have to be done/ does not match the experiences of teh general population.

Question 7

1. One weakness of the study was that the sample was not representative of the general population and thus cannot be adequately generalised to a wider populace, lowering the applicability of the results.

Answer 7

• 40 white males from the New Haven area aged between 20-50 years old. (androcentric generalisations cannot be made to females as the results may only be relevant to males)
• Sample predominately from Western, American backgrounds making the sample ethnocentric and thus limiting generalisations of the results to other cultures as the study did not consider that other cultures may have differing attitudes towards authority and obedience.
• thus the study did not capture the breadth of human behaviour in obedience situations.