Back to AI Flashcard MakerPsychology /2023-2025 Year 12 A-Level Psychology Social Influence: Milgram and Situational Variables Affecting Obedience
2023-2025 Year 12 A-Level Psychology Social Influence: Milgram and Situational Variables Affecting Obedience
This deck covers the key concepts, findings, and situational variables affecting obedience in Milgram's famous obedience experiments.
Define obedience
Where somebody acts in response to a direct order (1) from a perceived authority figure (1)
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Key Terms
Term
Definition
Define obedience
Where somebody acts in response to a direct order (1) from a perceived authority figure (1)
What is the key term for the following definition? When someone reacts to a direct order from a perceived authority figure
Obedience
Which key researcher investigated if individuals would obey the orders of an authority figure, even if it led to negative consequences?
Milgram
What did Milgram AIM to investigate in his original study?
If individuals would obey the orders of an authority figure, even if it led to negative consequences
Who conducted a lab experiment at Yale University?
Milgram
What experimental method did Milgram use in his original obedience research and where did he conduct it?
Lab experiment at Yale University
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
Define obedience | Where somebody acts in response to a direct order (1) from a perceived authority figure (1) |
What is the key term for the following definition? When someone reacts to a direct order from a perceived authority figure | Obedience |
Which key researcher investigated if individuals would obey the orders of an authority figure, even if it led to negative consequences? | Milgram |
What did Milgram AIM to investigate in his original study? | If individuals would obey the orders of an authority figure, even if it led to negative consequences |
Who conducted a lab experiment at Yale University? | Milgram |
What experimental method did Milgram use in his original obedience research and where did he conduct it? | Lab experiment at Yale University |
Who were Milgram’s sample in his original obedience research? | 40 American males aged 20-50 |
Who studied 40 American males aged 20-50? Were they investigating obedience or conformity? | Milgram investigating obedience |
What was the teacher’s role (the real participant) in Milgram’s original experiment? | Deliver electric shocks to the learner |
Who delivered electric shocks to the learner in Milgram’s original experiment? | The teacher (the participant) |
What role did the confederate (fake participant) play in Milgram’s original obedience research? | The learner |
In Milgram’s experiment, the learner was a fake participant. What is the key term for this? | A confederate |
The shocks on the machine in Milgram’s research ranged from 15 volts to? | 450 volts |
The maximum voltage on Milgram’s shock machine was? | 450 volts |
What voltage did the shocks begin at on Milgram’s electric shock machine? | 15 volts |
The experimenter in Milgram’s researcher was giving orders to the teacher. What was the experimenter perceived as? | An authority figure |
Who was the perceived authority figure in Milgram’s research? | The experimenter |
The experimenter used prompts if the ‘teacher’ (participant) refused to shock the learner. Name two prompts the experimenter used. | “Please continue (or please go on).” “The experiment requires that you continue.” “It is absolutely essential that you continue.” “You have no other choice; you must go on.” |
What voltage did ALL participants in Milgram’s original study go up to when shocking the learners? | 300 volts |
What percentage of participants went to at least 300 volts in Milgram’s original obedience research? | 100%/ All participants |
What percentage of teachers (participants) went to the maximum 450 volts when shocking the learners in Milgram’s original study? | 65% |
65% of participants went to what voltage on the electric shock machine when shocking learners in Milgram’s original obedience research? | 450 volts |
What percentage of teachers (participants) stopped shocking learners at 300 volts in Milgram’s original research? | 12.5% |
12.5% of the teachers (participants) in Milgram’s original research did what? | stopped shocking learners at 300 volts |
Name three situational variables that affect obedience | location; proximity; uniform |
Proximity, location and uniform are all examples of what? | Situational variables affecting obedience |
In Milgram's original experiment obedience rates were 65% these dropped to what percentage when the experimenter left the room and gave instructions by telephone? | 20.5% |
In the proximity condition of Milgram's research, what did he change when obedience levels dropped to 20.5%? | The experimenter left the room and gave orders to the teacher over the telephone |
What situational variable affecting obedience is being investigated when the experimenter left the room and gave orders to the teacher over the telephone? | proximity |
How did Milgram investigate location as a situational variable affecting obedience? | The location was changed from a prestigious university to a run-down office |
What situational variable is Milgram investigating when he changes the experiment from a prestigious university to a run down office? | Location |
What did the obedience rate drop from and to when the location of Milgram's research changed to a run down office? | 65% to 48% |
Why do obedience rates drop to 20.5% when the experimenter leaves the room and gives orders to the teacher over the phone? | The closer an authority figure is to an individual, the more perceived authority they have and the more obedient that individual will be. |
Why did obedience levels drop when the location of Milgram's research changed to a run down office? | The amount of perceived authority the experimenter had was reduced meaning individuals were less likely to obey |