Research studies into obedience

Classic research studies into obedience include

- Milgram

- Hofling

- Messue and Raajimakers

Miligram's classic study on obedience showed that people were more obedient than we would imagine.

The main criticisms if his research concern the lack of internal and external rapidity, and the contravention of ethical codes.

Issue of validity associated with research into obedience

Obedience research has been criticized in term of:

Internal validity:

- This describes the extent to which a participant believes in the experimental manipulation and therefore the extent to which the participants behavior can tell us anything about real behavior.

- The roles of demands characteristics and social contracts are important consideration.

- Milgram's research raised questions as to whether the participants believed the "victim" was received shocked and was in pain.