Outline and evaluate how
situational variables have been
shown to affect obedience to
authority. (16 marks)
Situational variables, such as proximity, location, and uniform, concentrate on outside
aspects that influence a person's tendency to follow orders. Milgram carried out his
initial studies in a Yale University lab. A variation of the experiment was carried out by
Milgram in a run down building in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to examine the effect of the
location. The percentage of participants who administered the entire 450 volts dropped
from 65% to 47.5% in this variation, demonstrating the significance of location in
creating a prestigious atmosphere that inspires respect and obedience. Milgram also
demonstrated the effectiveness of uniforms in a variation where the experimenter was
called away and a confederate in regular clothing, as opposed to a lab coat, took his
place. Here, just 20% of individuals gave the entire 450 volts, a significant decrease. It
is unclear from this variation alone whether the uniform is the contributing factor or
whether the experimenter also appears more legitimate due to his social standing and
role, despite the fact that it seems to imply that uniform is a significant factor that
impacts obedience to authority.
There are additional research supporting the role of uniform effecting obedience rates.
Bickman (1974) carried out a field experiment in New York City where confederates
waited on the sidewalk and requested small tasks from onlookers, including picking up
rubbish or giving a coin for the parking metre. The confederate was dressed in a variety
of outfits, such as a dapper suit, jacket, and tie, a milkman's attire, or a security guard's
uniform. It was discovered that in the last condition, the general populace was twice as
likely to comply with the "security guard's" orders. This finding supports Milgram's
contention that wearing a uniform enhances the authority of the figure in question and
acts as a situational variable to boost obedience levels.
Outline and evaluate how situational variables have been shown to affect obedience to authority. (16 marks) 1
situational variables have been
shown to affect obedience to
authority. (16 marks)
Situational variables, such as proximity, location, and uniform, concentrate on outside
aspects that influence a person's tendency to follow orders. Milgram carried out his
initial studies in a Yale University lab. A variation of the experiment was carried out by
Milgram in a run down building in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to examine the effect of the
location. The percentage of participants who administered the entire 450 volts dropped
from 65% to 47.5% in this variation, demonstrating the significance of location in
creating a prestigious atmosphere that inspires respect and obedience. Milgram also
demonstrated the effectiveness of uniforms in a variation where the experimenter was
called away and a confederate in regular clothing, as opposed to a lab coat, took his
place. Here, just 20% of individuals gave the entire 450 volts, a significant decrease. It
is unclear from this variation alone whether the uniform is the contributing factor or
whether the experimenter also appears more legitimate due to his social standing and
role, despite the fact that it seems to imply that uniform is a significant factor that
impacts obedience to authority.
There are additional research supporting the role of uniform effecting obedience rates.
Bickman (1974) carried out a field experiment in New York City where confederates
waited on the sidewalk and requested small tasks from onlookers, including picking up
rubbish or giving a coin for the parking metre. The confederate was dressed in a variety
of outfits, such as a dapper suit, jacket, and tie, a milkman's attire, or a security guard's
uniform. It was discovered that in the last condition, the general populace was twice as
likely to comply with the "security guard's" orders. This finding supports Milgram's
contention that wearing a uniform enhances the authority of the figure in question and
acts as a situational variable to boost obedience levels.
Outline and evaluate how situational variables have been shown to affect obedience to authority. (16 marks) 1
