Obedience- Situational variables

Question 1

What were Milgram’s 3 variations?

Answer 1

• Uniform
• Proximity
• Location

Question 2

What did Milgram do in the proximity variation?

Answer 2

• Placed teacher and learner in the same room (1)
• Touch proximity- experimenter forced teacher’s hand onto shock plate (2)
• Remote instruction- experimenter not present

Question 3

What were the findings from the proximity variation?

Answer 3

• Teacher and learner in the same room= obedience fell to 40%
• Touch proximity- 30%
• Remote instruction- 20.5%

Question 4

What is the explanation for the proximity variation findings?

Answer 4

Decreased proximity allows participant to distance themselves from the consequences of their actions. Teacher more obedient when physically separated from learner

Question 5

What did Milgram do in the Location variation?

Answer 5

• Baseline= Yale university
• Variation= run-down office block

Question 6

What were the findings from the location variation?

Answer 6

• Obedience fell to 47.5%

Question 7

What is the explanation for the location variation findings?

Answer 7

• Uni setting gave study legitimacy and authority
• Obedience still high, as participants perceived scientific nature of study

Question 8

What did Milgram do in the uniform variation?

Answer 8

• Baseline= experimenter wore lab coat
• Variation= role of experimenter replaced by a member of public (ordinary clothing)

Question 9

What were the findings from the uniform variation?

Answer 9

• Obedience dropped to 20% (lowest yet)

Question 10

What is the explanation for the uniform variation findings?

Answer 10

• Uniforms are a symbol of authority- encourage obedience

Question 11

What are the strengths of Milgram’s variations?

Answer 11

• Research support (Bickmann)
• Cross-cultural replication (Meeus and Raaijmakers)

Question 12

What are the limitations of Milgram’s variations?

Answer 12

• Lack cross-cultural validity
• Artificial task
• Danger of situational perspective

Question 13

STRENGTH-
I- Research support

Answer 13

D- Bickman had 3 confederates dress in different outfits- jacket and tie, milkman, security guard. Confederates asked passers-by to perform tasks (i.e. pick up litter). People 2X as likely to obey security guard than jacket and tie
E- Support view that uniform has a powerful effect on obedience

Question 14

STRENGTH-
I- Cross-cultural replications

Answer 14

D- Meeus and Raajimakers used a realistic procedure to study obedience in Dutch participants. Participants ordered to say stressful things to interviewee. 90% obeyed. Replicated findings concerning proximity- when person giving orders was not present, obedience decreased dramatically
E- Suggests Milgram’s findings are not limited to American men- culturally valid

Question 15

LIMITATION-
I- Findings lack cross-cultural validity

Answer 15

D- Smith and Bond identified 2 replications between 1968-85 in India and Jordan (different from US). Other countries involved (Spain, Scotland) are more similar to US- many replications
E- May be inappropriate to conclude Milgram’s findings apply to all people in all cultures

Question 16

LIMITATION-
I- Artificial tasks

Answer 16

D- Orne and Holland suggest procedure was faked. When experimenter was replaced by a member of public, many worked out the truth
E- It is unclear whether findings were genuine or due to seeing through deception and just play-acting