Some psychologists criticise Milgram’s research into obedience to authority, in terms of both methodological issues and ethical issues. Explain two criticisms of Milgram’s research. (Total 6 marks)

Model Answer

One criticism of Milgram’s research is its ethical issues. (Point) Participants were deceived about the true nature of the study and subjected to psychological stress when administering shocks. (Because) This raises concerns about the lack of informed consent and the potential harm caused to participants. (Why) However, Milgram debriefed participants thoroughly and found that most reported being glad they participated. (Counterargument)

Another criticism is the lack of ecological validity. (Point) The artificial task of administering shocks does not reflect real-world situations where obedience occurs, such as in workplace hierarchies. (Because) This limits the generalisability of the findings to everyday obedience scenarios. (Why) However, Milgram’s findings have been supported by real-world events, such as the Holocaust, suggesting they still hold relevance. (Counterargument)