milgram variations

what are the 3 variations of milgrams study

1. location

2. uniform

3. proximity

how did location change and what was found

• og study conducted in Yale. changed to a run down office block

• obedience dropped to 48%

explanation of obedience drop due to location

• Yale is prestigious so has a legitimacy and authority

• some still obeyed in office block due to “science” experiment which has authority

how did uniform change and what was found

• In yale= wore lab coat. variation= experimenter called away + “member of public” took over researcher role

• 20% obedience= lowest obedience rate

explanation of why proximity changed obedience

• uniforms= recognised symbols of authority

• expect someone in uniform to have legitimacy

how did proximity change

1. touch proximity= teacher had to force learners hand onto electroshock plate if learner refused

2. remote instruction= experimenter left room and gave instructions over the phone to teacher

3. same room= teacher and learner in same room- could see each other

what was found about conformity from the proximity variables

1. touch= 30% obedience

2. remote instruction= 20.5%- teachers pretended to give shocks or gave lower voltage

3. same room= 40%

explanation of 30% obedience from touch proxmimity

closer= less psychological distance from consequences of actions