Situational Variables in Obedience

• What was the obedience rate when the location of the experiment changed from Yale to seedy offices?

  47.5%
• How does a change in location affect obedience according to the study?

  It reduces the legitimacy of authority and decreases obedience rates
• What was the obedience rate when the teacher and learner were in the same room?

  40%
• What effect does touch proximity have on obedience?

  It decreases obedience to 30% when physical force is used
• What was the obedience rate when the experimenter gave instructions by phone from outside the room?

  20.5%
• How does the uniform of the experimenter affect obedience rates?

  When the experimenter is in everyday clothes, obedience drops to 20%
• What are the alternative explanations for obedience that situational variables might ignore?

  • Internal factors like disposition and personality
  • Authoritarian personality influencing obedience
  • Potential for obedience to be an alibi for behavior
• What are the criticisms of the situational explanation of obedience?

  • Excuses evil behavior, such as during the Holocaust
  • Removes individual accountability for actions
• What was the obedience rate for guards in Bickman's 1974 study in NYC?

  89%
• How did the obedience rates of civilians compare to those of guards in Bickman's study?

  Civilians had a lower obedience rate of 33% compared to guards' 89%
• What was the obedience rate for individuals dressed as milkmen in Bickman's study?

  57%
• How do Bickman's findings support Milgram's conclusions about uniform and authority?

  • Higher obedience rates in individuals dressed as guards
  • Lower rates in civilians and those in normal clothing
  • Suggests uniform enhances perceived authority