A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

Where did Milgram conduct his study of obedience?

1. Harvard University

2. Stanford University

3. Yale University

4. Columbia University

The correct answer is: Yale University

Milgram conducted his study of obedience at Yale University, which is significant because it was a well-respected institution that added credibility to his research. The setting was crucial as it provided a structured and formal environment that reinforced the authority of the experimenter. This context contributed to the power dynamics that Milgram aimed to explore in his experiments, where participants were led to believe that they were part of a legitimate scientific study. The choice of Yale was intentional, as it underscored how participants might comply with authority figures in a prestigious academic setting, thus influencing their willingness to administer shocks to another person when instructed to do so. This choice of university highlights the intersection of environmental factors and social psychology, particularly in understanding obedience to authority.