situational variables

• define situational variable

  external factors or environmental conditions that influence level of obedience in a situation
• what were the 3 situational variables studied?

  1. proximity
  2. location
  3. uniform
• define proximity

  physical closeness to authority and victim
• findings of proximity variation

  • separate rooms = 65%
  • same room = 40%
  • touch proximity = 30%
  • remote authority = 20.5%

  closer proximity increases obedience
• define location

  prestige of environment
• findings of location variation

  • 47.5% - conducted in run-down office

  less authoritative setting decreases obedience
• define uniform

  perceived authority
• findings of uniform variations

  • 20% - experimenter wore everyday clothes

  uniform increases obedience
• weakness - validity

  • demand characteristics
  • reduce internal validity
  • replications in more realistic settings
• strength - research support

  • Bickman found high obedience for security guard
  • uniforms are perceived more legitimate
  • higher ecological validity
• strength - cross-cultural support

  • Miranda et al
  • 90% of spanish students obeyed in study
  • lacks generalisability to collectivist cultures