milgrams obedience research- situational factors Flashcards
(6 cards)
what situation variables did milgram observe
proximity, location, uniform
explain the variable PROXIMITY effect on obedience
‘The closeness/distance of the authority figure to the ppt’
decreaed proximity means that ppts were less aware of there action. less aware of harm. so obedience increased; vice versa
Proximity version - learner and teacher in same room - obedience rate dropped from 65% to 40%.
Touch Proximity version - teacher force learner hand into elctroshock plate - obedience decreased to 30%
Remote instruction variable - experiemnetr left room and gave instructions via telephone - obedience decreased to 20.5%, ppts pretended to give shocks.
explain the variable LOCATION effect on obedience
instead of yale uni lab - run down office block - obedience fell to 47.5%.
Changing location - authority and legitmacy of experiment fell.
fell a little compared to others as there was still felt scientific.
explain the variable UNIFORM effect on obedience
baseline study, experimenter wore grey lab coat.
But when changed to a confederate wearing ‘everyday clothese’ - obedience dropped to 20%.
Uniform encourages obedience, as its assocciated with legimate authority
ao3: research support
Bickman - 3 conderates in 3 diff outfits; milkman, suit and tie, security guard.
Confed stood in the street and asked members of public to perform tasks e.g. pick up litter.
People twice as likely to obey security guard than suit and tie conferate.
Supports view that a situational variable e.g. uniform, inceased obedience.
ao3: ppts knew study was fake (low internal validity)
ppts may have been aware study was fake.
This is even more likely compared to his baseline study due to the extra manipulation of variables.
E.g. when experimenter was replaced by memeber of the public.
Milgram even recognised that this situation felt contrieved
Therefore ppts saw through the deception which led to demand characteristics,
Low internal validity
