Situational Variables AO3

• Evaluation points for Milgram's variables:

  • Research support for uniform: Bickman (1974)
  • Lack of internal validity
  • Cross-cultural replications
  • Obedience alibi
• Milgram's Variations: Bickman Research Support


  Bickman conducted an experiment investigating the effect of uniform on the rate of obedience. He had confederates dressed in the different outfits, a milkman, jacket and tie, or security guard and asked them to do simple favours such as asking for money for parking. The security guard had the highest obedience, supporting Milgram's findings that uniform conveys authority and is a situational factor likely to produce obedience.
• Milgram's Variations: Low Internal Validity


  Orne & Holland criticise Milgram's studies because they think that ppts worked out that the experiment was fake, specifically when the experimenter switched to a random member of the public. Participants could have changed their behaviour as there would be no consequences, leading to unrealistic results based on unnatural behaviour. Shows low internal validity as results are based on demand characteristics.
• Milgram's Variations: Cross-Cultural Replications

  Miranda et al found an obedience rate of over 80% in Spanish students, showing that the results from Milgram's experiment does not only apply to western, American cultures and applies to females aswell. However, Smith and Bond argued that most replications have taken place in western, individualistic cultures. Therefore, we cannot generalise the findings to collectivist cultures.
• Milgram's Variations: Obedience Alibi

  Mandel argued that Milgram's conclusion gives evil an alibi. It is offensive to the survivors of the holocaust, as it suggests that the Nazi's were "just obeying orders" and were victims themselves of situational factors outside of their control.