Proximity

• Both teacher and learner in the same room: obedience fell to 40%
• When the teacher was required to force the learner’s hand onto a shock plate, obedience fell to 30%
• When the researcher (authority figure) left the room, after initially giving instructions, and subsequent orders were given over the phone, obedience fell to 21% - some participants even went as far as repeatedly giving the weakest shock level despite telling the researcher they were following the correct procedure
• • If there was a buffer or barrier between the teacher and learner - the learner could not be seen or heard by the teacher, all the participants went to 450v
  • Application - Holocaust