Based on Stanley Milgram's program of obedience research, describe the two distinct research approaches he used and explain what specific variable or factor was examined in each approach to show how they were used in complementary ways.
Question: Based on Stanley Milgram's program of obedience research, describe the two distinct research approaches he used and explain what specific variable or factor was examined in each approach to show how they were used in complementary ways.
Sample answer: Milgram first conducted a non-experimental, observational study where he measured a single variable: the extent to which participants obeyed instructions to shock a confederate under identical conditions. Following this descriptive phase, he conducted controlled experiments where he systematically manipulated independent variables, such as the physical distance between the experimenter and the participant, to investigate which specific factors causally affected the rate of obedience.
Key points:
- Identifies the initial phase as non-experimental or observational.
- States that the initial phase measured a single variable (obedience under identical conditions) to establish a baseline.
- Identifies the subsequent phase as controlled experiments.
- Explains that the experimental phase manipulated independent variables (e.g., physical distance between experimenter and participant) to examine causal factors.
Rubric: Full credit is awarded if the student correctly identifies: 1) the initial non-experimental/observational phase that measured the single variable of obedience under identical conditions, and 2) the subsequent experimental phase that manipulated independent variables (such as physical distance) to investigate causal effects on obedience. Partial credit is awarded if only one of these phases is correctly described.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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