Situational Variables (exp of obedience)

• Situational variables: location,proximity,uniform

  In Milgram's study into obedience

  location = Yale university

  proximity = experimenter in same room as p

  uniform = experimenter wore a lab coat
• Proximity is how close the experimenter was to the teacher. When the experimenter left the room and gave instructions over the telephone the obedience rates fell. Only 21% continued to the maximum shock level. This is because when the experimenter is not in the same room they don't feel as pressured to obey.
• Location is where the study takes place. Originally it was conducted in Yale university, but when moved to a run down office in Bridgeport obedience rates dropped slightly to 48% delivering max shock. This is because in a less prestigious place they are not as trusting that the experiment is entirely safe.
• Uniforms convey power and authority.

  Bickman carried out a study where a female researcher dressed in a police uniform,as a business executive or beggar,and asked them to give change to a male researcher for an expired parking meter.

  Uniform - 72% obeyed

  Business executive 48% obeyed

  Beggar lowest amount obeyed

  This is because in uniform she appeared to have more authority.
• Obedience study evaluation from situational variables

  P However when the situation changes obedience levels can drop

  E In Milgram's original study location/uniform/proximity was...... and obedience levels were 65%

  E However this dropped when location/uniform/proximity changes (give example)

  Therefore ----- into obedience