Obedience: Situational Variables Flashcards
Based on Milgram’s study what situational variables were identified that affected obedience
-Proximity (closeness of the teacher and the learner )
-Location (
How much did the rate of obedience drop by when the learner and teacher were both in the same room
Dropped from 65% to 40%
In the touch proximity variation (teacher had to force learner’s hand onto a shock plate), how much did obedience fall to
Fell even further to 30%
In the remote instruction variation (when experimenter left the room and gave instructions over the phone) what did the rate of obedience drop to
20.5%- participant often even pretended to give shocks
Where was MIlgrams baseline study conducted
Yale University
How much did obedience drop to in he variation that was conducted
Obedience dropped to 47.5 %
What did the experimenter wear in the baseline study (Milgram- obedience)
-A grey lab coat (kind of uniform)- symbolising authority
How much did the rate of obedience fall by when the experimenter was replaced by an ordinary member of the public in everyday clothes (was called away by an inconvenient phone call)
Obedience fell dramatically to 20%
Evaluation of situational variables affecting obedience in Milgram’s study
-Research support for the influence of situational variables
-Cross cultural replications
-Real world applications
-Low internal validity
Who provides research support for Milgram’s situational variables that affected obedience
Bickman (1974)
What did Bickman (974) find in his research
-Conducted a field experiment in New York, confederates dressed either in a guard’s uniform, milkman’s outfit, or ordinary clothes.
-Passers-by were asked to perform small tasks (e.g., picking up litter or giving someone money for a parking meter).
-Results showed that people were twice as likely to obey someone in a guard’s uniform compared to someone dressed normally.
How does Bickman’s study support Milgram
-Provides strong support for the importance of situational variables, particularly uniform- demonstrating that a uniform conveys legitimate authority, leading to higher obedience.
-Therefore, Bickman’s study increases the validity of Milgram’s conclusions about the impact of situational variables like uniform.
How provides cross cultural replications of Milgram’s research
Miranda et al (1981)
Miranda et al’s (1981)cross cultural replication of Milgram’s study and how it supports Milgram’s findings
-Conducted a replication of Milgram’s study with Spanish students and found an obedience rate of over 90%.
-This suggests that the influence of situational variables on obedience is not limited to American participants or one cultural context, showing that factors like proximity, location, and uniform may have a universal effect on obedience across different populations.
-Therefore, these cross-cultural replications increase the external validity and generalisability of Milgram’s findings.
Counterpoint of cross cultural replications of Milgram’s study
Smith and Bond (1998)-They conducted a review of cross-cultural research - found most replications have been carried out in Western, developed societies. (E.G USA, Spain, and Australia)
-Because collectivist cultures (which value group loyalty and authority) may show different levels of obedience, the findings from Milgram’s situational variables cannot be easily generalised worldwide.
This means that Milgram’s conclusions about the effects of situational variables may be culture-bound rather than universal.
Real world applications of Milgram’s findings
-Can help us to explain atrocities committed during wartime (e.g., soldiers following orders to harm civilians).
-It suggests that ordinary people can commit extreme acts when placed in certain situational pressures, rather than because they are inherently evil.
-This highlights the importance of recognising the power of situational factors in preventing blind obedience in the future, such as through training soldiers to question immoral orders.
-Therefore, Milgram’s research has high practical value beyond the laboratory.
Miranda et al’s (1981)cross cultural replication of Milgram’s study and how it supports Milgram’s findings
-Conducted a replication of Milgram’s study with Spanish students and found an obedience rate of over 90%.
-This suggests that the influence of situational variables on obedience is not limited to American participants or one cultural context, showing that factors like proximity, location, and uniform may have a universal effect on obedience across different populations.
-Therefore, these cross-cultural replications increase the external validity and generalisability of Milgram’s findings.
One and Holland (1968)- issues with internal validity of Milgram’s research into situational variables
-Many participants could have realised the procedures were fake, especially when more unusual situations were introduced (such as the experimenter being replaced by a member of the public).
-If participants guessed that the shocks were not real, their behaviour may not have been genuine obedience but instead based on demand characteristics.
-This questions the validity of Milgram’s findings, as the results may not accurately reflect real obedience to authority.
Counterpoint of Orne and Holland
However, Milgram provided evidence that many participants believed the shocks were real, as most reported thinking the learner was genuinely being harmed, suggesting that demand characteristics did not significantly affect the results.
-Therefore, while there are concerns about internal validity, there is still some evidence to support the authenticity of the findings.
What is the relationship between proximity and obedience in Milgram’s study
As the proximity between the teacher (participant) and learner increased (they were physically closer), the level of obedience decreased.
What was the relationship between location and obedience in milgrams study
A more prestigious, authoritative location increases obedience.
A less prestigious, less authoritative location decreases obedience.
What was the relationship between uniform and obedience in milgrams study
Wearing a uniform (symbol of authority) increases obedience.
Without a uniform (ordinary clothing), obedience decreases significantly.
