Explanations for obedience-Situational variables Flashcards
What affect did proximity have on obedience?
In the proximity variation of Milgrams study, the teacher and learner were in the same room and obedience dropped from the baseline of 65% to 40%
What affect did location have on obedience?
In another variation, the study was conducted in in a rundown building instead of the university. Obedience fell to 47.5%
What affect did uniform have on obedience?
The role of the experimenter was taken by a ‘member of the public’ in ordinary uniform and the obedience dropped to 20%, the lowest of all variations.
What research supports situational variables?
Bickman did an experiment where confederates were dressed in three different outifts: jacket and tie, milkmans uniform and security guard. People were twice as likely to obey the security guard than the man in a shirt and tie. This shows situational variables effect obedience. Also, Milgram’s experiment has been replicated in Spain and got similar results, which shows it can be valid across cultures.
What were limitations of Milgram’s variables?
Orne and Holland criticised the experiment because they said people worked out the aim and showed demand characteristics so the results might not be because of the situational variables. The situational variables offer an alibi for evil behaviour as they can blame the authority figure and the location for their behaviour.
