FACTORS THAT EFFECT: Situational variables - Obedience

• (AO1) Define proximity

  How close the victim is affects obedience - the closer they are, obedience falls.

  
  

  How close the authority figures is also affects obedience - the closer they are the more obedience rises.
• (AO1) Link proximity to Milgram

  Milgram conducted a variation to test the power of proximity

  
  

  (CLOSE)Researcher and learner in same room. Ppts who administered full 450V dropped from 65% - 40% since the teacher was able to understand the learner's pain more directly.

  
  

  (FAR)Also found that when experimenter left the room and gave instructions over phone, obedience again fell to 20.5%
• (AO1) Define uniform

  Uniform can act as a legitimising factor in obedience, making the authority figure appear they have a right to lead and therefore increasing obedience.

  
  

  It can also make a person appear an expert (white coat) and therefore more likely to foster obedience.
• (AO1) Link uniform to Milgram

  The experimenter wore a white lab coat, indicating their status as a university professor / scientist

  
  

  He examined the power of uniform in a variation where the experimenter changed to another 'ppt' in normal everyday clothes, pretending to be a member of the public (confederate)

  
  

  The % administered full 450V dropped from 65% - 20%

  
  

  Reveals uniform does effect obedience
• (AO1) Define location

  The environment is another legitimising factor in obedience.

  
  

  If the location matches the authority figure, obedience is more likely (teacher in a classroom).
• (AO1) Link location to Milgram

  OG research conducted in lab of Yale University.

  
  

  To test power of location, conducted variation in a rundown building in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

  
  

  Ppts who administered 450V fell from 65% - 47.5%

  
  

  Highlights the importance of location in creating a prestigious atmosphere generating respect and obedience.
• (AO3) - If 16m - later replications

  P: A comparison with later replications of Milgram's study highlights cross-cultural consistency & some cultural variations in obedience.

  
  

  E: Replications across cultures showed that all cultures had high obedience, with Australian women showing slightly lower obedience.

  
  

  E: This variation may reflect cultural differences in attitudes toward authority or gender roles, suggesting while situational variables are key, cultural contexts also influence obedience. The finding that obedience occurs universally emphasises the power of situational factors.
• (AO3) - If 16m - other factors

  P: Should consider other factors, like agentic state / legitimising factors of authority.

  
  

  E: While situational factors like authority & proximity influence obedience, agentic state (shift responsibility) and legitimising factors (uniforms) can strengthen obedience. Also, an authoritarian personality may interact with these factors, making ppl more likely obey due to respect for authority.

  
  

  E: Suggest o influence by interaction between personal traits (e.g. authoritarian personality) & situational variables, offer more comprehensive obedience view.
• (AO3) - If 16m - RWA

  Point: Understanding situational variables affecting obedience has important RWA in promoting prosocial behaviours & preventing harmful obedience.

  
  

  Evidence: By identifying variables that increase obedience, such as authority figures or proximity, can encourage ethical decisions and avoid blind obedience, which can lead to unethical outcomes.

  
  

  Evaluate: This knowledge can be applied in contexts like education and workplace training, to help individuals question authority & act more responsibly, creating a society that is more aware of ethical decision-making.