Obedience: situational variables

• What was the focus of Milgram's first study on obedience?

  Variations in obedience levels
• How did the proximity of the teacher and learner affect obedience in Milgram's study?

  Closer proximity increased obedience rates
• What was the obedience rate when the teacher and learner were in adjoining rooms?

  40%
• What are the situational variables identified by Milgram that influence obedience?

  • Proximity: Closeness of authority figure
  • Location: Prestige of the setting
  • Uniform: Symbolic authority of clothing
• What was the outcome of Bickman's field experiment in New York City?

  People obeyed security guards more
• What does Bickman's study support regarding uniforms?

  Uniforms convey authority and influence obedience
• What was a criticism of Milgram's original study by Ome and Holland?

  Participants realized the procedure was faked
• Why is the variation with a member of the public significant in Milgram's study?

  It highlighted the artificiality of the situation
• What was the obedience rate when the experimenter was replaced by a member of the public?

  20%
• How did changing the location of the study affect obedience rates?

  Obedience fell to 47.5% in a run-down building
• What was the obedience rate in Milgram's original study conducted at Yale University?

  65%
• What effect did the experimenter's uniform have on obedience in Milgram's study?

  It symbolized authority and increased obedience
• What was the obedience rate when the experimenter was in everyday clothes?

  20%
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of Milgram's variations in terms of control of variables?

  Strengths:

  • Systematic alteration of one variable at a time
  • Consistent procedures across studies

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Potential lack of internal validity
  • Participants may have recognized deception
• What does the 'obedience alibi' refer to in Milgram's findings?

  Situational factors excuse evil behavior
• Why is the situational perspective criticized in the context of historical events like the Holocaust?

  It oversimplifies complex human behavior
• What are the implications of Milgram's findings for understanding obedience in real-world contexts?

  • Authority figures influence behavior
  • Situational factors can lead to compliance
  • Understanding obedience helps prevent abuses of power
• How might a teacher's authority affect a student's behavior in a classroom setting?

  Students are likely to comply with requests
• What was the obedience rate when the teacher had to force the learner's hand onto an electroshock plate?

  40%
• How did the remote instruction condition affect obedience in Milgram's study?

  Obedience dropped to 20.5%
• What is the significance of Milgram's findings across different cultures?

  They suggest obedience is a universal phenomenon
• What did Miranda et al. (1981) find regarding obedience rates among Spanish students?

  Obedience rate was over 90%
• What caution did Smith and Bond (1998) provide regarding Milgram's findings?

  Most replications were in similar cultures
• Why is it important to control variables in Milgram's variations?

  To isolate the effect of each variable
• How many participants were involved in Milgram's variations?

  Over 1000 participants
• What is a limitation of a purely situational explanation of obedience?

  It overlooks individual personality factors
• How might a teacher's request to pick up litter illustrate Milgram's findings?

  It shows authority influences compliance