OBEDIENCE EXPLANATIONS [situational variables]

Question 1

How does proximity affect obedience?

Answer 1

People are more likely to obey an authority figure when they are in close proximity

Question 2

How do Milgram’s variations show the effect of proximity on obedience?

Answer 2

When the experimenter gave orders by phone, obedience dropped to 20.5%

Question 3

How does location affect obedience?

Answer 3

If the location is seen as ‘high status’, obedience increases

Question 4

How do Milgram’s variations show the effect of location on obedience?

Answer 4

Original study at Yale University = 65% obedience

Run-down office building = 47.5%

Question 5

How does uniform affect obedience?

Answer 5

If an authority figure is wearing a ‘high status’ uniform, obedience increases

Question 6

How do Milgram’s variations show the effect of uniform on obedience?

Answer 6

When the experimenter was an ‘ordinary member of public’, obedience fell to 20%

Question 7

How does Bickman’s research also show the effect of uniform on obedience?

Answer 7

FIELD EXPERIMENT

• confederates in different uniforms gave orders to people on the street
• people TWICE AS LIKELY to obey the ‘security guard’ than a man in just a suit and tie