*Milgram: Situational Variables

Question 1

What is the first level of proximity in Milgram’s experiment?

Answer 1

Teacher and learner in the same room

Obedience rate dropped from 65% to 40%

Question 2

What was the obedience rate when teachers had to put learners’ hands onto the shockplate?

Answer 2

30%

This was the second level of proximity.

Question 3

What happened to obedience rates when instructions were given over the phone?

Answer 3

20.5%

Participants pretended to give shocks and gave lower ones than instructed.

Question 4

What psychological effect does decreased proximity have on obedience?

Answer 4

Allows psychological distance from consequences

Example: Physical separation decreases awareness of harm.

Question 5

What was the obedience rate when the experiment was conducted in a rundown building?

Answer 5

47.5%

This was lower than the original study but still high.

Question 6

How does the location of an experiment affect obedience according to Milgram?

Answer 6

Prestigious environment increases perceived legitimacy

Obedience is higher in a university setting due to authority perception.

Question 7

What happened to obedience rates when a ‘member of the public’ in everyday clothes took over?

Answer 7

20%

This was the lowest obedience rate in all variations.

Question 8

What role does uniform play in obedience?

Answer 8

Encourages obedience as a symbol of authority

Society grants legitimacy to those in uniform.

Question 9

What study supported Milgram’s conclusion about uniforms conveying authority?

Answer 9

Bickman (1974) study

Confederates in different outfits showed varying levels of obedience from passers-by.

Question 10

What was the obedience rating found by Miranda et al (1981) in Spanish students?

Answer 10

Over 90%

This suggests findings are valid across cultures and genders.

Question 11

What is a limitation regarding the internal validity of Milgram’s study?

Answer 11

Participants may have realized the procedure was fake

This was acknowledged by Milgram himself.

Question 12

What did Orne and Holland suggest about participants in Milgram’s study?

Answer 12

They may have acted according to demand characteristics

This raises questions about the authenticity of their obedience.

Question 13

What is a limitation related to the cultural context of Milgram’s replications?

Answer 13

Most replications occurred in western, developed societies

This means findings may not be universally applicable.