A01

• After his initial obedience study, Milgram conducted numerous variations to explore situational factors affecting obedience. In one variation, proximity between the teacher and learner influenced obedience levels: when they were in the same room, obedience dropped from 65% to 40%, and further to 30% when the teacher had to physically force the learner's hand onto the shock plate. Obedience decreased to 20.5% when instructions were given remotely. Decreased proximity allows people to psychologically distance themselves from the consequences of their actions.
• Location also played a role; obedience dropped to 47.5% in a run-down office block compared to Yale University, where the study was initially conducted. The prestigious environment of the university gave the study more legitimacy and authority.
• Finally, the effect of uniform was also explored. When an ‘ordinary member of the public’ replaced the experimenter, obedience dropped to 20%. The authoritative presence of the experimenter, symbolised by the lab coat, influenced obedience.