Situational Variables

• Situational variables are external factors that can affect obedience.
• Proximity is when a authority figure is closer or further away when giving the instruction. Closer proximity means more obedience. Milgram studied this variable by giving the teacher instructions over the phone. Obedience went from 65% to 40%
• Location refers to the setting where the instructions is given in. Milgram studied this variable by doing it in a ran down building instead of Yale university. Obedience went from 60.5% to 47.5%
• Uniform is whether a authoritive figure is wearing a uniform to signalise authority. Milgram studied this variable by varying his study and the experimenter wear ordinary clothes instead of a lab coat. Obedience level went from 65% to 20%
• One positive is that it is useful information for schools and prisons. This shows how people obey other people and it will give people more help in controlling these people which helps keep people safe which is better for society.
• As well as this, there is real life application in Milgram's study. This shows how these factors actually affect obedience and how obedience go down when you take those factors away. This is a positive for situational variables.
• One weakness is that it could be argued that it gives a excuse for bad behaviour