NationStates Jolt Archive


Social Influence Research

The fairy tinkerbelly
21-10-2004, 14:04
If there's anyone around who knows about psychology please help me

I need to write an essay called 'to what extent can social influence research be justified in terms of the ethical issues it raises?' with references to Milgram's experiment into obediance to authority and Zimbardo's prison experiment.

The thing is, thanks to my intricut(sp?) filing system (stuffing my notes into my bag or locker and hoping I'll be able to find them later) I've lost the notes that I need, so please please please can someone help me?
Refused Party Program
21-10-2004, 14:18
It basically wants you to argue whether or not the findings justify the means (the trauma of the participants, etc).
The fairy tinkerbelly
21-10-2004, 14:20
i know what it means, I just can't write it
Refused Party Program
21-10-2004, 14:22
i know what it means, I just can't write it

Don't you have any Psychology textbooks?
Look around you. You currently using the greatest source of information available. What is it?

a)The internet.
b)Your hand.
c)Your chair.
The Imperial Navy
21-10-2004, 14:24
Ah the net... number 1 for finding information... and porn... porn... porn...

...where was I?
Refused Party Program
21-10-2004, 14:24
...where was I?

pr0n
The Imperial Navy
21-10-2004, 14:26
pr0n

ah yes... thanks.

Hmm...
The fairy tinkerbelly
21-10-2004, 14:27
We don't get textbooks for some reason, they're all kept at college

I've tried the stupid internet, I went on ask Jeeves and it came up with some essays that would be perfect but you have to pay for them and my 'free' education has cost me enough already without me having to pay for my homework too!
The Imperial Navy
21-10-2004, 14:28
We don't get textbooks for some reason, they're all kept at college

I've tried the stupid internet, I went on ask Jeeves and it came up with some essays that would be perfect but you have to pay for them and my 'free' education has cost me enough already without me having to pay for my homework too!

Jeeves is useless. Try google.
Refused Party Program
21-10-2004, 14:30
We don't get textbooks for some reason, they're all kept at college

I've tried the stupid internet, I went on ask Jeeves and it came up with some essays that would be perfect but you have to pay for them and my 'free' education has cost me enough already without me having to pay for my homework too!
Don't plagiarise, f00. Use websites that outline the studies and have evaluations relating to this topic. I wrote this essay in my AS-Level exam. The info. is out there!
The fairy tinkerbelly
21-10-2004, 14:36
I wasn't gonna just find an essay and print it out, I thought if I read through one i'd be able to write my own essay in my own words
The Imperial Navy
21-10-2004, 14:37
I wasn't gonna just find an essay and print it out, I thought if I read through one i'd be able to write my own essay in my own words

you mean you'd copy and paste one then change a few words... :mad:
Refused Party Program
21-10-2004, 14:37
Just do the essay, you lazy wench! Go to a library, keep searching, etc.
Bottle
21-10-2004, 14:39
If there's anyone around who knows about psychology please help me

I need to write an essay called 'to what extent can social influence research be justified in terms of the ethical issues it raises?' with references to Milgram's experiment into obediance to authority and Zimbardo's prison experiment.

The thing is, thanks to my intricut(sp?) filing system (stuffing my notes into my bag or locker and hoping I'll be able to find them later) I've lost the notes that I need, so please please please can someone help me?
if memory serves, Millgram did the experiment where participants were instructed to administer electrical shocks to another person, who they could hear but could not see. the experimentor sat next to the person administering the shocks, and would insist that they continue giving the shocks even when the unseen recipient began screaming in pain or yelling that he had a heart problem and was afraid for his safety. (in reality, there was no unseen recipient, it was another experimenter who was yelling those things without ever having been given a shock) the shock-givers would continue giving shocks even when the machine in front of them was maxed out and the "victim" had gone silent (presumably having lost consciousness)

the point of that study was that people obey the authority figure (the experimentor sitting next to them) even when ordered to cause serious pain or endanger a life.

the prison experiment took a group of normal college students and young men and randomly assigned them to be "prisoners" or "guards." they were placed in a simulated prison, and were observed as they went about in their roles. the study had to be stopped after only a few days, because the participants were so far into the roles; the guards were sadistic and abusing their power, and the prisoners were showing classic depression, futility behaviors, and other psychological attributes of real prisoners. it was a very interesting study, because these were normal people with no history of mental problems, who fell totally into their roles within HOURS...when given power over others, the guards used and abused that power, and when rendered helpless the prisoners became disobedient and twitchy as all hell.
The fairy tinkerbelly
21-10-2004, 14:39
yeah but I'd have to join a library to go to one and I can't because you need proof of ID and I had my purse stolen the other day so I don't have any!
Togarmah
21-10-2004, 14:39
Do you remember what those experiments were about?
Refused Party Program
21-10-2004, 14:42
yeah but I'd have to join a library to go to one and I can't because you need proof of ID and I had my purse stolen the other day so I don't have any!

Your passport & birth certificate were in your purse? Since when do you need proof of ID to join a library? I filled out a form and paid them 50p and they gave me a card.

Just admit it: you're lazy and you want us to do the work for you.
The fairy tinkerbelly
21-10-2004, 14:45
if memory serves, Millgram did the experiment where participants were instructed to administer electrical shocks to another person, who they could hear but could not see. the experimentor sat next to the person administering the shocks, and would insist that they continue giving the shocks even when the unseen recipient began screaming in pain or yelling that he had a heart problem and was afraid for his safety. (in reality, there was no unseen recipient, it was another experimenter who was yelling those things without ever having been given a shock) the shock-givers would continue giving shocks even when the machine in front of them was maxed out and the "victim" had gone silent (presumably having lost consciousness)

the point of that study was that people obey the authority figure (the experimentor sitting next to them) even when ordered to cause serious pain or endanger a life.

the prison experiment took a group of normal college students and young men and randomly assigned them to be "prisoners" or "guards." they were placed in a simulated prison, and were observed as they went about in their roles. the study had to be stopped after only a few days, because the participants were so far into the roles; the guards were sadistic and abusing their power, and the prisoners were showing classic depression, futility behaviors, and other psychological attributes of real prisoners. it was a very interesting study, because these were normal people with no history of mental problems, who fell totally into their roles within HOURS...when given power over others, the guards used and abused that power, and when rendered helpless the prisoners became disobedient and twitchy as all hell.
I know all that and I know some of the ethical issues that both experiments raise; deception, informed consent, protction of participants but I know there's more and I can't remember them and I don't even know where I'm supposed to start with this (I'm rubbish at writing essays)
The fairy tinkerbelly
21-10-2004, 14:48
Your passport & birth certificate were in your purse? Since when do you need proof of ID to join a library? I filled out a form and paid them 50p and they gave me a card.

Just admit it: you're lazy and you want us to do the work for you.
no, obviously not but I have no idea where they are. I needed it last time I joined a library ( and I don't have 50p because my purse with my money in was stolen!)

And yes i am lazy and I do want someone to do the work for me, I'm not ashamed of it
The Imperial Navy
21-10-2004, 14:49
tut tut. Lazy girl.
Refused Party Program
21-10-2004, 14:51
no, obviously not but I have no idea where they are. I needed it last time I joined a library ( and I don't have 50p because my purse with my money in was stolen!)


I'm assuming you still live with your parents. I'm sure they could give you some ID/accompany you to the library and give you 50 pence.


And yes i am lazy and I do want someone to do the work for me, I'm not ashamed of it

You fucking should be! Stop messing around on the intarweb and get to work.

:mad:
The fairy tinkerbelly
21-10-2004, 14:55
I'm assuming you still live with your parents. I'm sure they could give you some ID/accompany you to the library and give you 50 pence.



You fucking should be! Stop messing around on the intarweb and get to work.

:mad:
my mum's on holiday so I'm home alone all week!
The Imperial Navy
21-10-2004, 14:56
You fucking should be! Stop messing around on the intarweb and get to work.

:mad:

Thats a bit Harsh RRP. :(
The Imperial Navy
21-10-2004, 14:56
my mum's on holiday so I'm home alone all week!

Then why arent you doing the usual thing and holding a big party?
Refused Party Program
21-10-2004, 14:57
my mum's on holiday so I'm home alone all week!

A likely story.
Get to work!
The fairy tinkerbelly
21-10-2004, 14:57
Thats a bit Harsh RRP. :(
yeah, he's always really mean to me! :(
Refused Party Program
21-10-2004, 14:58
Then why arent you doing the usual thing and holding a big party?

Haha! So true.

If you're that inept just don't do the essay until you can be arsed. It won't make much difference (I'm assuming you suck at Psychology, given the evidence).
The fairy tinkerbelly
21-10-2004, 14:58
A likely story.
Get to work!
It's true! she's neglected me!
I'm trying!
The fairy tinkerbelly
21-10-2004, 15:00
Then why arent you doing the usual thing and holding a big party?
because it's the middle of the week! I'm waiting for Saturday night!
Kellarly
21-10-2004, 15:00
A likely story.
Get to work!


hey, calm down..you never ever had help/given help to anyone writing an essay before? or do you just like to criticise people instead of helping them?
The Imperial Navy
21-10-2004, 15:00
It's true! she's neglected me!
I'm trying!

Now listen here little lady... at your age I was working, earning money to pay rent to my mother, or otherwise she would've kicked me out!

you owe it to your mother to work! so do it!

err... Please? :)
Independent Homesteads
21-10-2004, 15:01
well, google milgram, google zimbardo, and then say "social influence research doesn't have to involve harming the participants" and find some experiments where people were influenced to drink more tea than they really wanted.

Marketing and advertising is full of social influence tactics, probably. See what they reckon about it. They're trying to make people buy stuff not beat each other up, which may be morally questionable too I suppose.
Refused Party Program
21-10-2004, 15:01
hey, calm down..you never ever had help/given help to anyone writing an essay before? or do you just like to criticise people instead of helping them?

What do you think? :D
The fairy tinkerbelly
21-10-2004, 15:01
Haha! So true.

If you're that inept just don't do the essay until you can be arsed. It won't make much difference (I'm assuming you suck at Psychology, given the evidence).
I dunno, I've only been doing it for a few weeks and I've yet to do a piece of work for it, i probably do suck at it though, I suck at everything except maths :(
Refused Party Program
21-10-2004, 15:04
I dunno, I've only been doing it for a few weeks and I've yet to do a piece of work for it, i probably do suck at it though, I suck at everything except maths :(

If you just tell your teacher you've lost the bloody notes and need more time, they'll probably give you an extension.
The Imperial Navy
21-10-2004, 15:04
I dunno, I've only been doing it for a few weeks and I've yet to do a piece of work for it, i probably do suck at it though, I suck at everything except maths :(

you suck at a lot of things, don't you... *sigh* :confused:
The fairy tinkerbelly
21-10-2004, 15:06
Now listen here little lady... at your age I was working, earning money to pay rent to my mother, or otherwise she would've kicked me out!

you owe it to your mother to work! so do it!

err... Please? :)
I do have a job! and I don't need to pay rent, have a rich stepdad!

and please don't start with the whole 'you owe it to your mother' crap, you have no idea how often I've had that said to me and it doesn't help!

it was good of you to ask nicely though
The Imperial Navy
21-10-2004, 15:07
I do have a job! and I don't need to pay rent, have a rich stepdad!

and please don't start with the whole 'you owe it to your mother' crap, you have no idea how often I've had that said to me and it doesn't help!

it was good of you to ask nicely though

Just trying to help... :(
The fairy tinkerbelly
21-10-2004, 15:08
If you just tell your teacher you've lost the bloody notes and need more time, they'll probably give you an extension.
that won't work, she already thinks i'm an idiot and she's told me i need to get myself more organised (i wish i'd listened now)
Kellarly
21-10-2004, 15:09
What do you think? :D



lol, hmmm let me guess :p
The fairy tinkerbelly
21-10-2004, 15:09
you suck at a lot of things, don't you... *sigh* :confused:
yes I do, I'm really stupid and a complete ditz!
Togarmah
21-10-2004, 15:10
I know all that and I know some of the ethical issues that both experiments raise; deception, informed consent, protction of participants but I know there's more and I can't remember them and I don't even know where I'm supposed to start with this (I'm rubbish at writing essays)

Start by making an outline then, don't just sit down and try to write the whole thing.

An outline should be a list of bullet points that sums up what you hope to discuss. Something like.

1. Brief description of both experiments: - how they are performed etc. -?

2. Purpose of each: - what did they hope to find out?

3. What are the potential harmful effects on the subjects of each: - side effects, lasting truama etc.?

4. What is potential benefit of the data gained: i.e. can the data go on to be applied usefully and does it have real world pratical applications, or is it just abstract knowledge?

5. How accurate is the experimental data: i.e. is the information gleaned from these types of experiments reliable and reproducible or does it vary so widely every time the experiment can not be considered an accurate research tool.

6. Compare the damage done in 3 with the utility from 4 and whether or not anything is even been found at as per 5. Draw conclusion, it doesn't matter either way, there is probably no "right answer."

Expand on whats above, start to fill out the points, and you'll be amazed what comes back to you. Also if feel free to plug in things from other parts of the course - like the criteria for a valid experiment - wherever relevant, even if they are not specifically part of this topic. (Make sure they are relevant tho'.)

I hope this helps.
Independent Homesteads
21-10-2004, 15:10
are there any geeky guys in the class? go find one and make eyes at him with chatter and wiles and let him tell you stuff.
The fairy tinkerbelly
21-10-2004, 15:10
Just trying to help... :(
I know, sorry :(
Refused Party Program
21-10-2004, 15:10
that won't work, she already thinks i'm an idiot and she's told me i need to get myself more organised (i wish i'd listened now)

What's the worst that could happen? She'll give you a detention and make you write up during the detention, giving you access to books.
The Imperial Navy
21-10-2004, 15:12
I know, sorry :(

*Forgiven* :D
The fairy tinkerbelly
21-10-2004, 15:13
are there any geeky guys in the class? go find one and make eyes at him with chatter and wiles and let him tell you stuff.
there's only 3 guys in my class, two of them are gay and the other is really creepy and I really don't wanna have to talk to him, plus this has to be handed in tomorrow before half term
Hierosolyma
21-10-2004, 15:13
that won't work, she already thinks i'm an idiot and she's told me i need to get myself more organised (i wish i'd listened now)
There are natural consequences for each of a person's actions. In this case, you did not leave prepared to complete the essay and now you are unable to complete the essay properly. Perhaps you'll learn to be more organized in the future because of this incident.
The fairy tinkerbelly
21-10-2004, 15:15
What's the worst that could happen? She'll give you a detention and make you write up during the detention, giving you access to books.
you don't get detention in 6th form, you get referred, which means she'll send a letter home to my mum and ring her up and I really don't need my mum whinging at me about it
The fairy tinkerbelly
21-10-2004, 15:16
There are natural consequences for each of a person's actions. In this case, you did not leave prepared to complete the essay and now you are unable to complete the essay properly. Perhaps you'll learn to be more organized in the future because of this incident.
you'd think so but I doubt it, i've been through this time and time again and I never learn, like I said I'm dumb!
Refused Party Program
21-10-2004, 15:18
you don't get detention in 6th form, you get referred, which means she'll send a letter home to my mum and ring her up and I really don't need my mum whinging at me about it

Either stop messing about here and do the essay as best you can (someone's provided you with a more than adequate outline for it) or take it on the chin.