Obedience : Situational variables

Situational variables

Features of the immediate physical and social environment which may influence a person’s behaviour (such as proximity, location and uniform) . The alternative is dispositional variables where behaviour is explained in terms of personality.

Proximity

The physical closeness or distance of an authority figure to the person they are giving an order to. Also refers to physical closeness of the teacher to the victim (learner) in milgram’s studies.

Location

The place where an order is issued, The relevant factor that influences obedience is the status or prestige associated with the location

Uniform

People in positions of authority often have a specific outfit that is symbolic of their authority, e.g police officers and judges. Indicates they are entitled to expect our obedience.

Research support strength

Field evidence supports the influence of situational variables (specifically uniform)

Bickman 1974 conducted field experiment in NYC. confederates dressed in jacket and tie, milkmans outfit or security guard uniform

They asked passers by to perform small tasks e.g picking up litter, and they were twice as likely to obey security guard than person in jacket and tie

This confirms real world setting that a uniform acts as powerful situational cue for obedience

Cross cultural replications (strength

Findings can generalise to other cultures and genders, Meeus and raaijmakers 1986 studied dutch participants using realistic task (order them to stay stressful things in job applicant)

90% of participants obeyed, replicated milgrams findings on proximity, obedience dropped drastically when person giving orders not present, suggests milgrams findings apply across cultures and valid for women as well

Low internal validity ( limitation)

Participants may have realised setup is fake. (Orne and holland again)