Lecture Notes: Salomon Ash and Stanley Milgram Experiments

Overview

This lecture covers two major social psychology experiments:

1. Salomon Ash Conformity Test
2. Stanley Milgram's Behavioral Study on Obedience

Salomon Ash Conformity Test

• Published: 1955 in Scientific American.
• Objective: To investigate the extent to which social pressure from a majority group could affect a person to conform.
• Experiment Setup:
  • Participants asked to match line lengths.
  • Group members deliberately gave wrong answers.
  • Key finding: 36.8% of participants conformed to incorrect group judgment.
• Conclusions and Questions Raised:
  • Investigated the consistency of conformity.
  • Examined relationship between independence in behavior and character traits.
  • Questions related to sociological and cultural influences on conformity.
  • Concerned with education and values guiding conduct.

Transition to Milgram's Study

• Ash’s conclusions inspired further exploration into obedience, leading to Milgram’s study.
• Emphasized that society requires consensus but should not be dominated by conformity.

Stanley Milgram's Behavioral Study on Obedience

• Published: 1963.
• Objective: To investigate willingness to obey authority figures in conflicting situations.
• Context: Post-WWII interest in understanding obedience to authority (e.g., Nazi regime).

Experimental Design

• Participants: 40 males aged 20-50 from various occupational backgrounds.
• Setting: Conducted at Yale University, lending credibility.
• Procedure:
  • Participants assigned role of "teacher" and instructed to administer electric shocks to "learner".
  • Shocks increased in intensity with wrong answers.
  • Key Variable: Experimenter in lab coat reinforcing continuation.

Findings

• Majority (26 out of 40) administered maximum shock level (450 volts).
• Participants showed signs of severe stress and anxiety.
• Raised ethical concerns about authority and obedience.

Conclusion and Impact

• Highlighted tension between obedience and moral actions.
• Emphasized need for ethical guidelines in psychological research.
• Informed the development of Institutional Review Boards and informed consent processes.

Discussion Points

• Obedience: Seen as necessary for societal functioning but can lead to destructive outcomes if unchecked.
• Ethical Considerations: Today, such experiments would be subject to strict ethical scrutiny.
• Legacy: Continues to inform discussions on obedience and authority in psychology.

Closing

• The Ash and Milgram experiments provide insights into human behavior and societal dynamics.
• Prompt reflection on moral responsibility and ethical research practices.
• For further questions and discussion, reach out to the lecturer.