A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

What is one reason people argue that Milgram's obedience study was not a true experiment?

1. It lacked a control group

2. There was no independent variable

3. Participants were not properly informed

4. It did not involve deception

The correct answer is: There was no independent variable

One reason people argue that Milgram's obedience study was not a true experiment is the absence of a clearly defined independent variable. In a true experiment, researchers manipulate an independent variable and observe the effects on a dependent variable. However, in Milgram's study, the level of obedience was measured based on participants' responses to authority figures in a specific context rather than through manipulation of a straightforward independent variable. The experimental setup focused on how different conditions (such as proximity to the learner and authority figure) influenced obedience levels, but these conditions did not constitute a clear manipulation of a single independent variable, which is a hallmark of a true experimental design. In contrast, the presence of a control group and deception played roles in the study's design and ethical considerations; however, they do not directly affect whether the study qualifies as a true experiment. Participants were indeed misled about the nature of the experiment to some extent, but this was a method to ensure realistic behavior and not a measure of experimental validity.