Obedience- Situational Variables
Key Terms
- Situational variables- In his research, Milgram identified several
factors that he believed influenced the level of obedience shown by
participants. They are all related to the external circumstances
rather than to the personalities of the people involved, and include
proximity, location and uniform.
- Proximity- The physical closeness or distance of an authority figure
to the person they are giving an order to. Also refers to the physical
closeness of the teacher to the victim (learner) in Milgram’s studies.
- Location- The place where an order is issued. The relevant factor
that influences obedience is the status or prestige associated with
the location.
- Uniform- People in positions of authority often have a specific outfit
that is symbolic of their authority, for example police officers and
judges. This indicates to the rest of us who is entitled to expect our
obedience.
Situational variables
Proximity
- In Milgram’s study, the teacher and learner were not in the same
room, so the teacher could hear but not see the learner.
- In the proximity variation, they were in the same room.
- Reducing the distance between teacher and learner reduced
obedience.
- Obedience = 40% when learner and teacher in same room.
Location
- Changing the location to somewhere with less status and prestige
reduced obedience.
- Obedience = 48% in a run-down office rather than in a prestigious
university.
Uniform
- Uniform is symbol of authority.
- Obedience = 20% when experimenter's role was taken by an
ordinary member of the public.
Key Terms
- Situational variables- In his research, Milgram identified several
factors that he believed influenced the level of obedience shown by
participants. They are all related to the external circumstances
rather than to the personalities of the people involved, and include
proximity, location and uniform.
- Proximity- The physical closeness or distance of an authority figure
to the person they are giving an order to. Also refers to the physical
closeness of the teacher to the victim (learner) in Milgram’s studies.
- Location- The place where an order is issued. The relevant factor
that influences obedience is the status or prestige associated with
the location.
- Uniform- People in positions of authority often have a specific outfit
that is symbolic of their authority, for example police officers and
judges. This indicates to the rest of us who is entitled to expect our
obedience.
Situational variables
Proximity
- In Milgram’s study, the teacher and learner were not in the same
room, so the teacher could hear but not see the learner.
- In the proximity variation, they were in the same room.
- Reducing the distance between teacher and learner reduced
obedience.
- Obedience = 40% when learner and teacher in same room.
Location
- Changing the location to somewhere with less status and prestige
reduced obedience.
- Obedience = 48% in a run-down office rather than in a prestigious
university.
Uniform
- Uniform is symbol of authority.
- Obedience = 20% when experimenter's role was taken by an
ordinary member of the public.
