Milgram’s Situational Variables:

• What are the three situational variables in Milgram’s study?


  • Proximity
  • Location
  • Uniform
• Experiment 7: Telephonic Instructions (Proximity) 


  Procedure:

  The experimenter left the room and gave instructions to the teacher via telephone.

  Findings:

  Obedience levels dropped to 20.5%.

  Explanation:

  The physical absence of the authority figure reduced the pressure to obey.
• Experiment 10: Rundown Office Block (Location) 


  Procedure:

  The study was conducted in a run-down building instead of the prestigious Yale University setting.

  Findings:

  Obedience levels fell to 47.5%.

  Explanation:

  The prestige of the location influenced obedience, as the Yale setting gave the study legitimacy. (more permissible)
• Experiment 13: Ordinary Man Gives Orders (Uniform) 


  Procedure:

  The experimenter (wearing a grey lab coat) was replaced by an ordinary member of the public in everyday clothes.

  Findings:

  Obedience levels dropped to 20% (the lowest of all variations).

  Explanation:

  The uniform (a symbol of authority) significantly influenced obedience.