Obedience: Situational variables Flashcards
definition
a form of social influence, individual follows a direct order from an authority figure
Milgram’s research
interested in whether Germans are more obedient to authority (Nazis), baseline procedure adapted in 18 variations findings used for comparisons.
Findings
- all delivered shocks up to 300 volts, 5 stopped at 300 and 65% continued to the highest level (450 volts)
- qualitative data collected, participants showed signs of tension, trembling and stuttering
- Germans aren’t different, the participants were willing to obey orders knowing they were inflicting harm
Evaluation (strengths)
-research support, findings were replicated in a french documentary on a game, participants believed they were contestants and paid to give fake electric shocks (ordered by the presenter) in front of a studio audience. 80% delivered shocks to an unconscious man, behavior was almost identical to Milgram’s original findings
Evaluation (weakness)
- lack of realism (internal validity), lab study, Orne & Holland said pps were ‘play-acting’ because of the set-up (demand characteristics), confirmed by Gina Perry who listened to the tapes, half believed the shocks were real
- biased sample, all male findings cant generalize to females (beta bias), selected themselves (volunteer personality) unrepresentative of whole American population, findings have been replicated in cultures and most lead to the same conclusions
situational variables
-after Milgram conducted his baseline study, he carried out variations to consider the situational variables (external factors) that could impact obedience levels
Proximity, Location, Uniform
- Proximity is the physical closeness/distance of an AF to the person receiving the order
- Location is the place where an order is issued, status associated with the place impacts obedience
- Uniform, people in authority have a uniform symbolic of their authority, entitled to expect obedience
Proximity variation
-baseline study, teacher could only hear the learner, proximity variation same room. Obedience rate dropped from 62.5% to 40%. Teacher had to place the learner’s hand on the shock plate, conformity fell 30%.Decreased proximity allows people to psychology distance themselves from the consequences of their actions e.g. teacher and learner were separate, teacher less aware of the harm they were causing so they were more obedient
Location variation
-conducted in a run-down office block not prestige Yale university, obedience fell to 47.5%. The prestigious university environment gave Milgram’s study legitimacy and authority, still obedient in office block (they perceived the scientific nature of the study)
Uniform variation
-In the baseline study the experimenter wore a grey lab coat (authority) In one variation he was called away, replaced with ordinary person, obedience fell to 20%. Uniform is a symbol of authority, they entitled to obedience as it it legitimate.
Evaluation (strength)
-support from studies on influence of situational variables on obedience. Bickman had 3 confederates dress in 3 different outfits, jacket and tie, milkman, security guard. All asked public to perform random acts, people twice as likely to obey security guard (38%). Support, situational variable such as uniform has effect on obedience
Evaluation (weakness)
-low internal validity, Orne & Holland, demand characteristics, likely in variations as manipulation of variables (uniform variation), participants knew the nature . Unclear findings due to obedience or pps saw through the deception
Evaluation (strength)
-cross-cultural replications, Meeus and Raajimakers realistic procedure Dutch pps. Ordered to say stressful things to confederates in an interview. 90% obeyed, when person giving orders was not present, obedience decreased. Milgram’s findings are generalisble across cultures,not limited to Americans
