BICKMAN ET AL Flashcards
(16 cards)
What was the aim of the experiment?
To investigate whether uniform which signifies authority will affect levels of obedience.
What hypothesis was tested in Experiment 1?
A uniformed guard has more ability to influence individuals than a person in a lower-authority uniform (milkman) or wearing no uniform (conventional dress).
What were the independent and dependent variables in the experiment?
IV - the type of uniform being tested; DV - a) The levels of obedience in relation to a uniform; b) The levels of obedience in relation to the situation.
What was the sample size and demographics of the participants?
153 participants, average age of 39; 43% male, 57% female; 86% white, 11% black, remainder undetermined; 85% middle class.
What instructions were given to the participants?
Participants were instructed to either pick up a paper bag, give a coin for a parking meter, or move to the other side of a bus stop pole.
When were the experiments conducted?
On weekdays, with 77% of data collected during the afternoons.
What was the main finding regarding obedience rates?
There was no significant difference in obedience rates between the milkman uniform and civilian dress, but obedience rates were significantly higher when dressed as a guard.
What conclusion was drawn from Experiment 1?
Uniformed people have greater power than non-uniformed people; power and legitimacy are related to the type of uniform worn.
How does the appearance of the person giving the order affect obedience?
The appearance of the person giving the order has a greater effect on obedience than the situation itself.
True or False: Predictions relating to obedience behavior are accurate indicators of actual behavior.
False.
What criticism was made regarding the use of a field experiment?
There is a lack of control over extraneous ‘street’ variables that could have affected the results.
What was a limitation of the opportunity sampling method?
No prior knowledge of the personality or circumstances of each participant, which could affect obedience.
What ethical concerns were raised about the experiment?
Participants did not give informed consent and were not debriefed, which could lead to distress or embarrassment.
What biases were noted in the sample?
Gender bias due to male experimenters and cultural bias as the experiment took place in only one city.
What issue was identified with the realism of the scenarios used?
The scenarios were not ‘real’ enough, leading to more participants stating they would not obey.
Fill in the blank: The results of the experiment cannot be ________ to other cultures.
[generalized].
