Milgrim's Situational Variations Flashcards
What is the definition of Obediance?
When someone acts in responce to a direct order from a figure of percieved authority.
Would respond in a way that they would not have without the order.
What is Proximity?
How near/far the participant is from the victim/researcher.
Explain the variation of Proximity.
-In the original experiment the participant and learner were in different rooms obediance was at 65%
-when he had them in the same room obediance dropped to 40%
>as they could see how there behaviour had a unpleasant consequence on the learner
-Touch proximity,teacher had to force the learners hand onto plate of the electric shock which made obediance further drop to 30%
-In one proximity (remote instruction)the experimenter left the room and gave instruction via a telephone.Obediance fell to 20.5%
what does the findings of the remote instruction suggest?
The closer the authoritive figure is to the individual the more obedient they will be.
What was the findings of the variation of location?
-When done in the prestige yale university setting obediance was at 65%
-When done in a run down office it fell to 48%
>milgrims argues that this is because the amount of percieved legitimate authorityof experimenter was reduced.
What does Milgrims say the Power Of Uniform does?
Wearing the uniform added legitimate authority to the individual delivering the orders.
-In the original experiment they wore a grey lab coat which gave a ‘air’ of authority.
Explain the Variation of Power Of Uniform?
-The experimenter in grey lab coat left in the begginning to answer a phone call
-a ordinary member of the public took over the role wearing everyday clothing
>obediance dropped to 20%
What did power of uniform suggest?
-uniform does act as a strong visual authority symbol and a cue to act in a obediant manner
-when not in uniform the percieved legitimate authorty of experimenter reduced.
What research supports Power Of Uniform
BICKEMENS FEILD EXPERIMENT IN NEW YORK
-he made 3 confederates dress as either a milkmen,buisnessmen or security guard
-he made them ask passers by to either pay for a parking ticket or pick up litter
-he found that people are twice as likely to follow orders from a security guard than from a buisnessmen.
What is a factor which could weaken all situational variables?
Dispositional factors
e.g authoritarian personality
-obediance is due to internal characteristics e.g personality and upbringing.
What is a weakness related to Proximity?
Mandel(1998)
-the mass killing of Jews in the Holocaust was done in a close proximity
-Mandel states that obedience increases due to presence of uniform offers a excuse/alibi for evil behaviour
-This is offensive towards holocaust survivors as it suggests that the nazi’s were simply following orders.
