Situational variables

• What did Milgram identify as factors influencing obedience in his baseline study?


  Situational variables
• What was the original level of obedience found in Milgram's baseline study?


  65%
• What are the three situational variables identified by Milgram that influence obedience?


  1. Proximity
  2. Location
  3. Uniform
• How did the proximity of the teacher and learner affect obedience when they were in the same room?


  Obedience rate dropped to 40%
• Why does the obedience rate decrease when the teacher and learner are in the same room?


  The teacher is less likely to obey when the learner is visible
• What was the obedience rate when the teacher had to forcibly place the learner's hand on the electroshock plate?


  30%
• Why does obedience decrease in the touch proximity condition?


  It is more difficult to physically make the learner receive an electric shock
• What was the obedience rate when instructions were given over the telephone?


  20.5%
• Why does obedience decrease when instructions are given over the telephone?


  The experimenter is not physically present, making it easier to disobey
• How did changing the location of the study from Yale to a rundown building affect obedience?


  Obedience rate dropped to 47.5%
• Why does changing the location to a rundown building affect obedience?


  It is not a prestigious establishment, so people are less inclined to obey
• What was the obedience rate when the experimenter was replaced by an ordinary member of the public?


  20%
• Why does obedience decrease when the experimenter is replaced by an ordinary member of the public?


  The ordinary member does not look like an authority figure
• What did Bickman (1974) study in relation to obedience?


  Bickman studied the influence of situational variables on obedience using confederates in different outfits.
• What was the main finding of Bickman's study regarding uniforms?


  People were twice as likely to obey the assistant dressed as a security guard than one in a jacket and tie.
• How does Bickman's study support Milgram's conclusions?


  It supports Milgram's conclusion that a uniform conveys authority and influences obedience.
• What was Orne and Holland's criticism of Milgram's original study?


  They criticized that many participants realized the procedure was not real.
• Why is the realization of the procedure being fake a weakness in Milgram's studies?


  It raises doubts about whether results were due to obedience or demand characteristics.
• What did Miranda et al (1981) find regarding obedience rates among Spanish students?


  They found an obedience rate of over 90% among Spanish students.
• What does the finding by Miranda et al suggest about Milgram's study results?


  It suggests that Milgram's findings are not limited to American males and can be replicated in other cultures.
• What is the criticism made by Smith and Bond (1998) regarding cross-cultural replications of Milgram's study?


  They argue that most replications occurred in western developed societies similar to America.
• Why is the control of variables in Milgram's variations considered a strength?


  It allows researchers to be sure that changes in situational variables affected obedience.
• How many participants were involved in Milgram's variations?


  Over 1000 participants were involved in total.
• What does Milgram's findings suggest about the nature of obedience?


  They suggest that proximity, location, and uniform are situational factors influencing obedience.
• What is Mandel's (1998) criticism of Milgram's situational explanation of obedience?


  Mandel argues that it offers an excuse for evil behavior and is offensive to Holocaust survivors.
• What does Mandel suggest about the implications of Milgram's findings?


  He suggests that they do not justify people's actions but only explain why they occur.