Bickman

Aim

To investigate the degree of social power associated with different types of uniform

Hypothesis

A uniformed guard has more ability to influence individuals than the same person in a low-authority uniform.

Method and design of experiment 1

field experiment, independent measures

Independent variable for experiment 1

Type of uniform being tested

Dependent variable for experiment 1

Whether people obeyed an order or not

Sample of experiment 1

An opportunity sample made up of 153 adult pedestrians who are judged to be between the ages of 18 and 61

Procedure experiment 1

* Always a white male aged between 18 and 20
* There were four, with similar build, so fitted into same size uniform.
* Not told purpose, and told to act in exactly the same way regardless of the uniform they were wearing
* Pedestrians were approached and asked to do one of three things: -pick up a paper bag from the ground -give a dime to a stranger for parking -stand on the other side of a bus stop pole that they were already standing at

Experiment 1 results

* no significant difference in obedience between civilian and milkman uniforms across all three scenarios guard was obeyed significantly more than the civilian in all three scenarios

Experiment 2 method

field experiment

Experiment 2 independent variables

- two levels of authority (guard and civilian)
- surveillance and non-surveilance

Experiment 2 results

- surveillance had no significant effect on obedience
- guard was obeyed significantly more than the civilian (like experiment 1)

Experiment 3A method

questionnaire (investigating whether 29 scenarios including original 3 were perceived as legitimate requests by either a young man, milkman, or guard)

Experiment 3A sample

141 college students

Experiment 3A results

* 3 original scenarios, guard was not perceived more legitimate than other uniforms when giving the order
* some new scenarios were seen as more legitimate than others

Experiment 3B sample

189 students who had not done questionnaire 3A

Experiment 3B procedure

asked to predict what they and others would do in one of scenarios from experiment 1

Experiment 3B results

participants did not think the guard would have more social power in these situations compared to the milkman or civilian

Conclusion

- wearing a uniform gives people more power and influence over others' behaviour than those not in uniform
- the higher the status the uniform is perceived to have, the more power it provides
- how people think they would behave is not a good predictor of actual behaviour in that situation
- situational factors (type of uniform) have an influence on obedience in a real life setting with the higher the perceived status of the uniform resulting in increased obedience

Criticisms

* P**articipants were selected by opportunity sampling.** Unknown variables may affect the saviour, e.g. being in a rush could decrease obedience.
* **Culturally biased.** Only took place on one street in America.
* **Unethical as participants did not know they were being studied.** Field experiment led to no consent, deception and no debriefing.
* **Gender bias.** All confederates were male.