Milgram’s Variations
Situational Variables:
Baseline study established a method that Milgram could repeat and vary.
He could use these results to place a numerical value on the rate of obedience.
He found that situational factors might explain behaviour better than his original belief
that obedience might be due to personality.
Experiment 7 - Telephone Instructions:
Orders given over the phone.
Participants lied about how high the voltage was and if they were administering shocks.
Obedience dropped to 22.5%.
It is easier to resist authority passively than openly challenging the authority figure.
Physical presence is an important situational factor.
Experiment 10 - Rundown Office Block:
Change from Yale University to somewhere remote and rundown.
Obedience dropped to 47.5%.
Participants voiced doubts about the legitimacy of the research.
It was done in Bridgeport Connecticut and the company research was called Associates
of Bridgeport.
Prestigious context is an important situational factor to show legitimacy of authority.
Experiment 13 - Ordinary Man Gives Orders:
Participants arrive with 2 confederates - 1 is the leaner and 2 have an assigned role.
A phone call was made and the participant was taken out the room, then they were told
to administer the shocks.
Obedience dropped to 20%.
Orders must come from a legitimate source, appearance is a situational factor.
Situational Variables:
Baseline study established a method that Milgram could repeat and vary.
He could use these results to place a numerical value on the rate of obedience.
He found that situational factors might explain behaviour better than his original belief
that obedience might be due to personality.
Experiment 7 - Telephone Instructions:
Orders given over the phone.
Participants lied about how high the voltage was and if they were administering shocks.
Obedience dropped to 22.5%.
It is easier to resist authority passively than openly challenging the authority figure.
Physical presence is an important situational factor.
Experiment 10 - Rundown Office Block:
Change from Yale University to somewhere remote and rundown.
Obedience dropped to 47.5%.
Participants voiced doubts about the legitimacy of the research.
It was done in Bridgeport Connecticut and the company research was called Associates
of Bridgeport.
Prestigious context is an important situational factor to show legitimacy of authority.
Experiment 13 - Ordinary Man Gives Orders:
Participants arrive with 2 confederates - 1 is the leaner and 2 have an assigned role.
A phone call was made and the participant was taken out the room, then they were told
to administer the shocks.
Obedience dropped to 20%.
Orders must come from a legitimate source, appearance is a situational factor.
