Obedience | Situational variables

What are the three key situational variables Milgram investigated that affect obedience?

Proximity, Location, and Uniform.

How did decreasing proximity (e.g., putting Teacher and Learner in the same room) affect obedience?

It decreased obedience. Obedience dropped from 65% to 40% when they were in the same room, and to 30% when touch was required

What is the explanation for why proximity affects obedience?

Reduced proximity (distance) allows people to psychologically distance themselves from the consequences of their actions, making obedience easier.

How did changing the location from Yale University to a run-down office block affect obedience?

It decreased obedience, but not by as much as other factors. Obedience fell from 65% to 47.5%

What is the explanation for why location affects obedience?

A prestigious location (like Yale) grants the authority figure legitimacy, making people more likely to believe obedience is expected and justified.

How did removing the Experimenter's uniform (lab coat) affect obedience?

It dramatically decreased obedience. When a 'member of the public' gave orders, obedience dropped to 20%.

What is the explanation for why uniform affects obedience?

A uniform is a widely recognized symbol of legitimate authority. Without it, a person has less perceived right to expect obedience.

How did Bickman's (1974) field experiment support the influence of uniform on obedience?

People were twice as likely to obey a confederate dressed as a security guard than one in a jacket and tie, showing the power of a uniform.

How did the Dutch study by Meeus and Raajjmakers (1986) support Milgram's findings?

It found a 90% obedience rate in a different context and culture, and also found that obedience decreased when the authority was absent (supporting the proximity finding).

What is a key limitation regarding the cross-cultural validity of Milgram's findings?

Most replications were in countries culturally similar to the US (e.g., Western Europe). Few were in very different cultures, so we can't be sure the findings apply everywhere

What is the recurring criticism about the internal validity of Milgram's variations?

The extra manipulations (e.g., a 'member of the public' giving orders) were so contrived that participants may have guessed it was fake and were just play-acting (demand characteristics).