Milgram Experiment (obedience)

What was the primary objective of the Milgram experiment?

• To study the effects of punishment on learning

• To understand obedience to authority

• To explore the psychological effects of group pressure

• To investigate the impact of authority on memory

In the Milgram experiment, what role did the "teacher" play?

• Administering shocks to the "learner"

• Learning word pairs and receiving shocks for incorrect answers

• Observing the experiment and taking notes

• Acting as the authority figure giving orders

What ethical issues are most commonly associated with the Milgram experiment?

• Informed consent

• Deception

• Right to withdraw

• Protection from harm

Answer explanation

While the participants did consent to be in a study on memory and learning, they did not give informed consent on administering punishment as part of the study. Participants were also deceived about how they were assigned their role and were not protected from psychological harm. Though they were debriefed afterwards to address the deception, they may have had lasting psychological distress from their own behavior during the study.

What was the maximum voltage of shock that the "teacher" was led to believe they could administer?

• 150 volts

• 300 volts

• 450 volts

• 600 volts

How did Milgram ensure the participants believed the setup of the experiment?

• By using real electric shocks at the beginning

• Through verbal confirmation from the "learner"

• By showing them a fake electric shock machine

• All of the above

What percentage of participants in Milgram's original experiment administered the maximum shock level?

• 25%

• 40%

• 65%

• 80%

Which of the following was NOT true of the sample in Milgram's experiment?

• Participants were between the ages of 20 and 50.

• The participants responded to a newspaper ad or direct mail solicitation.

• The participants' education levels ranged from elementary level to doctorates.

• There were male and female participants.

What did Milgram's experiment conclude about obedience?

• Only a small fraction of people would obey harmful orders

• Obedience to authority is influenced by the proximity of the authority figure

• Obedience to authority can override personal convictions not to harm others if certain conditions apply.

• Both B and C

What was a weakness of the Milgram experiment?

• It has low generalizability.

• It could not be replicated.

• It used too large a sample size.

• It provided too much ethical consideration.

How did the "learner" in the Milgram experiment react to the shocks?

• They showed no reaction.

• They laughed it off.

• They pretended to be in pain.

• They were genuinely in pain.