Experiment 7: Telephone

Milgram’s variations

Procedure

After giving the initial instructions, the experimenter left the room and communicates with the volunteer through the phone

Findings

9/40 participants (22.5%) administered the full shock

Strength

I: Other studies have validated the link between low proximity and decreasing obedience

J: Sedikides and Jackson: when the zookeeper was nearby and instructed the visitors to move off the railing they complied but when speaking over the loudspeaker, people were less likely to move off.

E: This shows that Milgram’s findings on proximity and obedience have real world applications.

Weakness

I: Low mundane realism

J: The task of administering electric shocks to a learner after being ordered to is an unnatural task unlike a parent asking you to clean your room.

E: Therefore Milgram’s findings on proximity and obedience may not be applicable to real world situations.