Factors affecting obedience: Situation and culture

Question 1

what is a factor that affects obedience?

Answer 1

SITUATION

Question 2

what theory demonstrates how situation may affect obedience?

Answer 2

social impact theory

and Milgrams variation study

Question 3

what are the 3 situational factors that may affect obedience?

Answer 3

1. legitimacy
2. proximity
3. behaviour of others

Question 4

how does legitimacy affect obedience levels?

Answer 4

reducing legitimacy of authority figure, by altering dressing, can reduce obedience
reducing status of venue also reduces obedience

Question 5

how does proximity affect obedience levels?

Answer 5

when distance increases, obedience decreases (immediacy- SIT)

Question 6

how does the behaviour of others affect obedience levels?

Answer 6

exposure to role models who are disobedient decreases obedience
EG. in Milgrams EXP 17 where there were 2 confederates who refused to carry on, obedience dropped to 10%

Question 7

what is another factor that may affect obedience?

Answer 7

CULTURE

Question 8

what are the 2 dimensions that allow for comparison between obedience levels in different cultures, and who identifies these dimensions?

Answer 8

HOFSTEDE

1. individualism-collectivism
2. power distance index (PDI)

Question 9

what is individualism-collectivism?

Answer 9

individualist cultures= value personal autonomy and self reliance (I)
collectivist cultures= value loyalty to group and cooperation in pursuit of group goals (WE)

Question 10

examples of cultures and their levels of obedience?

Answer 10

US and Northern Europe (I)= may be less obedient due to value placed on independence and self-determination
China (C)= obligation and sense of duty might override desire to rebel

Question 11

what is the power distance index?

Answer 11

how accepting people are of hierarchal order and inequality in society

Question 12

what do we expect from high PDI cultures?

Answer 12

MORE OBEDIENCE

>subordinates expect to be told what to do and ideal boss is leaders of countries

Question 13

supporting evidence for situation?

Answer 13

MEEUS AND RAAJIMAKERS
asked ptcps to deliver insults to job applicant (confederate)
FOUND,
90% delivered all 15 insults in baseline condition
35% when exp left room
16% when witnessed 2 rebellious stooges
SHOWS,
possible to reduce obedience through adjusting situational factors

Question 14

BUT…?

Answer 14

in all Milgrams variations there were INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES
some refused despite situational pressures
SO,
personality must be key factor

Question 15

applications?

Answer 15

IMPROVE COMPLIANCE WITH COUNTRYSIDE RULES
In countryside there’s no one to enforce rules, so people disobey, threatening wildlife
If info about reasons behind rules, people felt they would obey more
Proves immediacy = no authority
Proves strength= indicate power that could be brought to bear
CAN HELP,
protect sites of beauty

Question 16

evaluate culture as an explanation of obedience levels?

Answer 16

CULTURE AND PDI HAVE CLOSE RELATIONSHIP
Mann found low levels of obedience of 28% in Australia, which scores low for PDI, 36%
Replication found high levels of obedience in Poland, 90%, and has PDI of 69%

Question 17

weakness for culture?

Answer 17

CULTURES DONT DIFFER
Blass found average obedience rate for 8 non US Milgram replications - 66%
US replications - 60%
Although theres some variation, very similar averages
SO,
maybe obedience is universal social behaviour

Question 18

ISSUES AND DEBATES

Answer 18

NATURE OR NURTURE -cross cultural studies
If obedience was was high worldwide, we might regard obedience as biological
If varies from culture to culture, might assume nurture plays more important role
IMPORTANT BECAUSE,
understanding origins of destructive behaviour helps prevent future atrocities