Situational Variables

• Proximity

  • when the physical distance between the teacher and learner in Milgram's study was made closer, Ps were less able to divorce themselves from the consequences of their actions so obedience rates were lower.
  • in the original study, the teacher and learner were in different rooms and the obedience rate was 62.5%
  • when they were moved to the same room, obedience drops to 40%
• Uniform

  • when a uniform is on, the perception of added legitimacy of authority is seen
  • when a civilian outfit was worn, obedience in Milgram's study dropped to 20%

  BICKMAN

  • asked people on NYC street to pick up trash
  • 19% obeyed when assistant wore civilian clothes
  • 14% obeyed when assistant dressed as a milkman
  • 38% obeyed when assistant wore a security guard uniform
  • people obeyed even when the guard walked away
• Location

  • Milgram replicated study in a rundown office block and found that obedience dropped to a rate of 47.5% as opposed to the 62.5% at the prestigous university, which decreases legitimacy of authority
• Alternatively, situational variables can be contrasted with dispositional factors
• There is high mundane realism in Bickman's study because it was a field experiment that was carried out in the natural settings of the participant.

  Dispositional factors such as the authoritarian personlity may play a part as these people are especially susceptible to obeying those in authority due to a harsh and strict upbringing