PastPaper.question 1 · short-answer
5.5 PastPaper.marksIn the study by Milgram (obedience), several prods were used by the experimenter.
(a) Describe the specific rules the experimenter had to follow regarding the sequence and delivery of the standardized prods when a participant hesitated. [3.5 marks]
(b) Explain one way in which using these standardized prods affected the reliability or validity of the study. [2 marks]
(a) Describe the specific rules the experimenter had to follow regarding the sequence and delivery of the standardized prods when a participant hesitated. [3.5 marks]
(b) Explain one way in which using these standardized prods affected the reliability or validity of the study. [2 marks]
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PastPaper.workedSolution
Part (a):
- The experimenter had a sequence of four standardized prods that had to be used in order if the participant showed reluctance to continue.
- Prod 1: 'Please continue' or 'Please go on'.
- Prod 2: 'The experiment requires that you continue'.
- Prod 3: 'It is absolutely essential that you continue'.
- Prod 4: 'You have no other choice, you must go on'.
- If the participant still refused after Prod 4, the experiment was terminated. If the participant asked if the learner would suffer permanent damage, a special prod was used ('Although the shocks may be painful, there is no permanent tissue damage, so please go on').
Part (b):
- Reliability: Standardized prods ensured high reliability because every participant who hesitated received exactly the same verbal prompts in the exact same sequence. This controlled for experimenter bias and made the procedure highly replicable.
- Validity: Standardisation helped isolate the independent variable (the situational authority pressure) by ensuring that the experimenter's behavior did not confound the results (e.g., by being more encouraging or hostile to some participants than others).
- The experimenter had a sequence of four standardized prods that had to be used in order if the participant showed reluctance to continue.
- Prod 1: 'Please continue' or 'Please go on'.
- Prod 2: 'The experiment requires that you continue'.
- Prod 3: 'It is absolutely essential that you continue'.
- Prod 4: 'You have no other choice, you must go on'.
- If the participant still refused after Prod 4, the experiment was terminated. If the participant asked if the learner would suffer permanent damage, a special prod was used ('Although the shocks may be painful, there is no permanent tissue damage, so please go on').
Part (b):
- Reliability: Standardized prods ensured high reliability because every participant who hesitated received exactly the same verbal prompts in the exact same sequence. This controlled for experimenter bias and made the procedure highly replicable.
- Validity: Standardisation helped isolate the independent variable (the situational authority pressure) by ensuring that the experimenter's behavior did not confound the results (e.g., by being more encouraging or hostile to some participants than others).
PastPaper.markingScheme
Part (a) [3.5 marks]:
- 1 mark for mentioning that prods had to be delivered in a fixed, consecutive order starting with Prod 1.
- 0.5 marks for each correctly recalled prod (up to 2 marks max for prods listed; e.g., 'Please continue', 'The experiment requires you to continue', etc.).
- 0.5 marks for mentioning what happens if they refuse after Prod 4 (the experiment terminates) or detailing the tone (firm, not impolite).
Part (b) [2 marks]:
- 1 mark for identifying how standardisation increases reliability (replication) or construct validity (isolating the situational pressure variable).
- 1 mark for linking this directly to Milgram's study (e.g., ensuring obedience was caused by the prestige/authority of the station and prompt sequence rather than personal variation in experimenter behavior).
- 1 mark for mentioning that prods had to be delivered in a fixed, consecutive order starting with Prod 1.
- 0.5 marks for each correctly recalled prod (up to 2 marks max for prods listed; e.g., 'Please continue', 'The experiment requires you to continue', etc.).
- 0.5 marks for mentioning what happens if they refuse after Prod 4 (the experiment terminates) or detailing the tone (firm, not impolite).
Part (b) [2 marks]:
- 1 mark for identifying how standardisation increases reliability (replication) or construct validity (isolating the situational pressure variable).
- 1 mark for linking this directly to Milgram's study (e.g., ensuring obedience was caused by the prestige/authority of the station and prompt sequence rather than personal variation in experimenter behavior).