Psychology ยท WPS01 (Unit 1)

Obedience: Milgram (1963)

Stanley Milgram's 1963 study asked how far ordinary people would obey an authority figure who told them to harm someone.

Procedure

40 men aged 20 to 50 from New Haven took part, told it was a study of memory and learning at Yale University. Each was the 'teacher' and gave what they believed were electric shocks to a 'learner' (a confederate) for wrong answers, from 15 V up to 450 V in 15 V steps. An experimenter in a grey lab coat used four verbal prods, such as 'The experiment requires that you continue'.

Results

All 40 went to at least 300 V. 26 of 40 (65%) went to the full 450 V. Many showed signs of stress such as sweating and nervous laughter.

Evaluation

Strengths: standardised procedure, quantitative data, later variations showed which situational factors matter (for example, proximity and location). Weaknesses: deception and distress raise ethical issues, especially the right to withdraw; the sample was all men from one area; the laboratory setting may lack ecological validity.

Worked example

What percentage of Milgram's 40 participants gave the maximum 450 V shock?

  1. 26 out of 40 went to 450 V.
  2. 26 / 40 = 0.65

Answer: 65%

Key idea: Milgram (1963): 40 men, shocks 15 V to 450 V, 65% went to 450 V, 100% to 300 V. Ethics: deception, distress, right to withdraw.

Check yourself

  1. 26 of Milgram's 40 participants went to 450 V. What percentage is that?
    Show answer

    65 %. 26/40 = 65%.

  2. What was the highest voltage that every participant reached?
    • 150 V
    • 450 V
    • 300 V
    • 15 V
    Show answer

    300 V. All 40 participants went to at least 300 V.

  3. Who were the participants?
    • 40 men aged 20 to 50
    • 40 university students of both sexes
    • 20 women and 20 men
    • Yale psychology lecturers
    Show answer

    40 men aged 20 to 50. Milgram recruited 40 men aged 20 to 50 by newspaper advert and direct mail.

  4. Which ethical issue is most often raised about the study?
    • Payment was too high
    • It used animals
    • It was too short
    • Deception and distress
    Show answer

    Deception and distress. Participants were deceived about the shocks and many were distressed.

  5. What was the role of the prods?
    • Shocks given to the teacher
    • Standard verbal instructions to keep going
    • Rewards for correct answers
    • Questions for the learner
    Show answer

    Standard verbal instructions to keep going. Four set prods were used in order when the teacher hesitated.

Practise with instant feedback

Sources

Last updated 7 November 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email alevel@lifereadysociety.com.