AO3 explanations of obedience

• socialisation of legitimate authority - supported by Milgram's variations research when he reduced authority of experimenter by using a member of the public. obedience dropped to 20% which makes explanation valid
• socialisation of legitimate authority - useful in explaining cultural differences in obedience, Australian study found 16% did 450v while German study found 85% did. cross cultural research gives explanation validity
• gradual commitment - supports Milgram's study as shocks were only severe several shocks later. therefore small shocks had less impact and let to gradual commitment. explanation has internal validity.
• agentic state - supports Milgram's study as pts felt they were 'acting on behalf of experimenter'. footage shows pts asking "who is responsible if anything goes wrong?" and experimenter replies with "i am ". as a result 65% continued to 450v because they didn't feel responsible. therefore explanation has internal validity.