These are the notes I completed while studying As Level Psychology, in which I got an A. They are according to the book "Psychology Coursebook" and according to my teacher's power points. I really hope they are helpful to you and you pass all your exams!!
You should be able to show understanding of:
the psychology that is being investigated
the background to that particular study
the aim(s) of the study
the procedure of the study,
ethical issues regarding the study
the results of the study
the conclusion(s) the psychologist(s) drew from the study
the strengths and weaknesses of all elements of the study.
You should be able to:
describe and evaluate the research methods used
consider how the study relates to psychological issues and
debates
apply the findings of the study to the real world.
MILGRAM 1963
Behavioural study of Obedience.
-Psychology investigated: Milgram investigated the psychology of obedience (submissive
compliance).
-Background: 1963, the holocaust a terrible event in human history happened very recently, a
clear case of obedience where Germans killed millions of Jews under obedience of a Leader,
Hitler. During 1963 the Cold war was happening. As well this year, the president JFK was
assassinated. A background where obedience is present all the time
-Aim: investigate the levels of obedience demonstrated when participants were told by an
authoritative figure to give electric shocks to others. This study was a pilot study which Milgram
wanted to carry out in Germany.
, His hypothesis was that there would be higher levels of obedience in Germany than the US.
-Sample: 40 males aged 20-50 (from around new haven city) Yale university. 15 of them
Labourers, 16 white collar or salesmen and 9 professionals. Voluntary sampling (they answered
a newspaper ad) and they were paid 4,50$ (4$ + 0,50$ transport costs)
-Procedure: A Learner (confederate) was asked to memorize a pair of words. The answers
where inputted through a system of light, the teacher (participant) would administer electric
shocks every time learners made a mistake (confederate where really not shocked). Every time
a mistake was made the voltage increased (15v-450v). Participants where shown the pain of a
shock by giving them a 45v shock. A wall was between learner and the teacher so the teacher
could hear but not see. If pp refused to shock the learner, the psychologist used 4 phrases to
make him continue, (“please continue”/ “please go on”, “The experiment requires you that you
continue”, “It is absolutely essential that you continue”, “you have no other choice, you must go
on” ) if the psychologist had to use the 4 phrases the experiment would cease. After the
experiment the pp where debriefed by telling them the learner was not electrically shocked.
Ethical issues:
Participants did not give their informed consent over the process of the experiment aim
Participants left the experiment in a different state than the one they entered in as for example
three left with seizures. The broke the ethical protection
Deception ethical guide line was broken as they were misinformed, they were not told the real
aim of the experiment.
Results:
Most participants wanted to stop the procedure, even signs of anxiety where shown (seating,
trembling, stuttering, biting lips, etc..) as well three participants had seizures during the
procedure.
14/40 pp showed nervous laughter/smiling which was not expected by experimenters
A questionnaire was given to the teacher “how painful where the last shocks to the learner”
from a scale of 1-14, the mean average was 13.4, showing they knew or could imagine how
painful where the shocks THEY were administering.
All pp shocked the learners up to 300 volts
5/40 left the experiment at 300v
2
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