Obedience: Situational Variables A01&3

Question 1

Strength

Answer 1

P-Milgrams research has control of variables
E-milgram systematically altered one variable at a time to test effects on obedience
E-other variables were kept constant as the study was replicated many times with over 1000 ppts
L-this control gives us more certainty that changes in obedience were caused by the variable manipulted

Question 2

Limitation

Answer 2

P-Milgrams variations may lack internal validity
E-orne and holland suggest pppts in Milgrams variations were even more likely to realise the procedure was faked because of the extra experimental manipulation
E-in the variation where the experimented was replaced by a member of the public, even milgram recognised this was so contrived that some ppts may have worked it out
L-unclear whether the results are due to obedience or because the ppts saw the deception and ‘play acted’

Question 3

Strength

Answer 3

P-Milgrams research has been replicated in other cultures
E-Miranda et al. Found over 90% obedience in Spanish students, Milgrams findings are not limited to American males
E-however smith and bond note that most replications have taken place in western societies culturally not that different from the USA
L-it’s premature to conclude that Milgrams findings about proximity, location and uniform apply to people everywhere

Question 4

Strength

Answer 4

P-research support for the influence of situational variables
E-bickman looked at the effect of authority ok obedience. For example, The confederate asked passers-by to provide a coin for the parking meter.
E-people we’re twice as likely to obey the ‘security guard’ than the ‘jacket/tie’ confederate
L-this support Milgrams conclusions that a uniform conveys authority and is a situational factor producing obedience