Variables affecting obedience

• Procedures

  1. Teacher gave fake electric shock to learner

  2. Ordered by experimenter
• At 300 learner screamed
• At 315 learner refused to continue
• After 315v there was no response
• Told to continue (prods)
• No participant stopped before 300x
• 65% went to top of shock scale (450v)
• Showed signs of stress or objected but continued
• Situational factors

  Stronger than dispositions in determining behaviour
• Variations

  • Proximity reducing distance between teacher and learner reduced obedience
  • Obedience when teacher was in the same room
• Location

  • Less formal reduced obedience
• Factors

  • Legitimacy of authority- 47.5% obedience in run-down office
  • Uniform- symbol of Authority increased obedience
• 20% obedience when experimenter was member of public