Milgram's Laboratory Experiment

Ideally, there is need to investigate why and how certain things happen the way they do or to have an idea of the causes, influences, occurrences or results of specific phenomena. In a broad spectrum, investigation is very crucial in all spheres of life, just like it is in the field of psychology. People get to understand, test or even ascertain the validity of ideas, theories or new products and discoveries through this. There are numerous reasons why researchers conduct a research. Understandably, investigating involves a number of procedures and methods from which one ought to decide on that, which is appropriate for the intended task. While one can investigate a theory or concept i,e using more than one method, it is noteworthy that not

As such the researcher has to decide on the most suitable methods by weighing the advantages against drawbacks of the particular method and make informed decision. Remarkably, there has been a claim that the advantages of experimental method do outweigh the disadvantages. Therefore, this essay is going to look at Milgram’s seminal laboratory experiment that explains how the experimental method was used to introduce variations, enabling Milgram to isolate the factors that influence levels of obedience; Harry Harlow’s controversial animal experiments that offer an evaluation of these in relation to methodology, ethics, etc. also, at the observational studies of attachment carried out by Mary Ainsworth. Furthermore, it s going to evaluate implications of research into attachment, studies on attention and discusses examples of useful examples of the real-world applications of experimental research that focuses on the area of attention.

The experimental research method provides the researcher with considerably high levels of control. Without a doubt, investigative psychology mostly deals with understanding human mind and behaviour, and being able to analyse the same to foretell the likely pattern of thoughts and actions. This means that the research deals with specific variables, from which

Following the particular provable and viable conclusions that many psychologists have arrived at over the years, it is then right to say that this research method ascertains specifications. On the other hand, it is agreeable that the experimental research process has the capability of producing outcomes that are not just relevant, but also specific with the consistency since they provide an avenue for high levels of control. Through it, the researcher is able to determine the failure or the success of the idea or theory under scrutiny. This makes it possible for researcher to understand and report the validity of the theory or idea in a short duration. According to Harlow (1962; Harlow et al., 1965), cited in Custance (2012, pp. 205 - 210) their experimental research on the monkeys presented crucial evidence within a short period for the claim by Bowlby (2012) cited in Brace (2014, p. 160) that the infants tend to bond well with warm and soft subjects which offer tactile comfort, and not those that offer food. Clearly, this also proves that the conclusions arrived at following the experimental method of research are