3b. Evaluation of Situational variables affecting obedience

What are the strengths of Situational variables affecting obedience?

Strengths of Situational variables affecting obedience=

• research support

• Cross-cultural replications

Why is research support a strength of situational variables affecting obedience?

Research support is a strength of situational variables affecting obedience=

• One strength is that other studies have demonstrated the influence of situational variables on obedience.

• In a field experiment in New York City, Bickman (1974) had three confederates dress in different outfits – a jacket and tie, a milkman’s outfit and a security guard’s uniform. The confederates individually stood in the street and asked passers-by to perform tasks such as picking up litter or handing over a coin for the parking meter. People were twice as likely to obey the assistant dressed as a security guard than the one dressed in a jacket and tie.

• This supports the view that a situational variable, such as a uniform, does have a powerful effect on obedience.

Why are cross-cultural replications a strength of situational variables affecting obedience?

Cross-cultural replications a strength of situational variables affecting obedience=

• Another strength of Milgram’s research is that his findings have been replicated in other cultures.

• For instance, Wim Meeus and Quintin Raaijmakers (1986) used a more realistic procedure than Milgram’s to study obedience in Dutch participants. The participants were ordered to say stressful things in an interview to someone (a confederate) desperate for a job. 90% of the participants obeyed. The researchers also replicated Milgram’s findings concerning proximity. When the person giving the orders was not present, obedience decreased dramatically.

• This suggests that Milgram’s findings about obedience are not just limited to Americans or men but are valid across cultures and apply to women too.

What is the counter argument for cross-cultural replications being a strength of situational variables affecting obedience?

Counter- argument for cross-cultural replications being a strength of situational variables affecting obedience=

• However, replications of Milgram’s research are not very ‘cross-cultural’. Smith and Bond (1998) identified just two replications between 1968 and 1985 that took place in India and Jordan – both countries culturally quite different from the US.

• Whereas the other countries involved (e.g. Spain, Australia, Scotland) are culturally quite similar to the US (e.g. they have similar notions about the role of authority).

• Therefore, it may not be appropriate to conclude that Milgram’s findings (including those about proximity, location and uniform) apply to people in all or most cultures.

What is the one limitation of situational variables affecting obedience?

One limitation of situational variables affecting obedience=

• low internal validity

Why is low internal validity a limitation of situational variables affecting obedience?

Low internal validity is a limitation of situational variables affecting obedience=

• One limitation is that participants may have been aware the procedure was faked.

• Martin Orne and Charles Holland (1968) made this criticism of Milgram’s baseline study. They point out that it is even more likely in his variations because of the extra manipulation of variables. A good example is the variation where the Experimenter is replaced by a ‘member of the public’. Even Milgram recognised that this situation was so contrived that some participants may well have worked out the truth.

• Therefore, in all of Milgram’s studies it is unclear whether the findings are genuinely due to the operation of obedience or because the participants saw through the deception and just ‘play-acted’ (i.e., responded to demand characteristics).