Question

In Milgram's study on obedience, under pressure from an authority figure, approximately what percentage of the participants gave the maximum punishment of 450 volts to the learner's incorrect answers? a. \(25 \%\) b. \(50 \%\) c. \(65 \%\) d. \(90 \%\)

Short answer

c. 65%

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Question

The question is asking us about the percentage of participants in Milgram's obedience study who administered the maximum voltage shock.

Recall Milgram's Study Results

Stanley Milgram conducted an experiment to investigate the level of obedience to authority figures, where participants believed they were administering electric shocks to a learner. In Milgram's study, a well-known result is that 65% of participants administered the maximum voltage of 450 volts.

Match the Result to the Options

From our recall of the study, we know that the percentage is 65%. Out of the provided options, this corresponds to option c.

Key concepts

Understanding Authority Obedience

Authority obedience refers to the tendency of individuals to follow orders from someone perceived as an authority figure. Stanley Milgram's famous psychological study illustrates this phenomenon. In everyday situations, people are often expected to conform to the directives of those in positions of power. This can include bosses at work, teachers in schools, or even government officials. The key idea is that the presence of an authority figure can significantly increase the likelihood of obedience, sometimes leading individuals to act against their moral beliefs or judgment. Factors that contribute to authority obedience:

• Legitimacy of authority: People tend to comply with figures they perceive as legitimate or deserving respect.
• Socialization: From a young age, individuals are taught to respect and follow authoritative figures.
• Sense of duty: People may feel obligated to obey authority due to societal norms or roles.

Understanding these factors helps to explain why so many participants in Milgram's study obeyed the instructions, even when it resulted in inflicting apparent harm on another person.

The Role of Psychological Experiments

Psychological experiments are crucial for understanding human behavior and mental processes. They allow researchers to create controlled settings where variables can be manipulated and observed to draw meaningful conclusions about behavior. Milgram's experiment is one of the most famous psychological studies on obedience and is renowned for its robust methodology and insights into human behavior under pressure. Why psychological experiments matter:

• Controlled Environment: Researchers gain more accurate data by controlling for extraneous variables.
• Hypothesis Testing: Experiments can test and support or refute theoretical concepts.
• Behavioral Insights: Experiments like Milgram’s provide deep insights into how people may react in real-world scenarios.

Despite their ethical challenges, psychological experiments continue to be a vital tool for advancement in the field of psychology. They help unravel complex human behaviors, as seen in the obedience displayed in Milgram’s study.

Insights from the Electric Shock Experiment

The electric shock experiment conducted by Stanley Milgram in the 1960s explored the extent of a person's obedience to an authority figure. Participants believed they were giving electric shocks to a "learner" whenever incorrect answers were given. Despite many being visibly uncomfortable, a significant 65% of participants administered the maximum shock of 450 volts, though thankfully, no real shocks were delivered. This result was both startling and insightful, highlighting the power of authority. Key aspects of Milgram’s electric shock experiment:

• Setup: An authority figure (the experimenter) instructed a participant (the teacher) to administer shocks to a learner.
• Purpose: To assess obedience levels and see how far individuals would go in following orders against their personal conscience.
• Findings: Raised critical questions about ethical boundaries and the potential for authority figures to influence behavior dramatically.

This experiment underscored ethical considerations in psychological studies and fuelled debates about the lengths people may go to under authoritative pressure, reshaping how such experiments are conducted today.