In Milgram's obedience studies, which factor is a situational variable linked to higher obedience?

In Milgram's obedience studies, which factor is a situational variable linked to higher obedience?

• A. The proximity of the learner
• B. The perceived legitimacy of authority
• C. The presence of others who refuse to continue
• D. The proximity of the experimenter

Answer: (A)

Situational factors shape obedience by changing how costly it feels to disobey. The proximity of the learner is a prime example: when the learner is distant or unseen, the teacher experiences less personal distress and moral conflict from harming someone, so they’re more likely to continue following orders. Milgram’s variations showed that moving the learner farther away tends to increase obedience, while bringing the learner into the same room or making the teacher touch the learner reduces obedience. This illustrates how the environment and scenario, not personality, can drive compliance. The other factors—how legitimate the authority is, whether others refuse to continue, and how close the experimenter is—also influence obedience, but the learner’s proximity directly maps onto the strongest pattern Milgram demonstrated: greater distance of the victim tends to raise obedience.

Situational factors shape obedience by changing how costly it feels to disobey. The proximity of the learner is a prime example: when the learner is distant or unseen, the teacher experiences less personal distress and moral conflict from harming someone, so they’re more likely to continue following orders. Milgram’s variations showed that moving the learner farther away tends to increase obedience, while bringing the learner into the same room or making the teacher touch the learner reduces obedience. This illustrates how the environment and scenario, not personality, can drive compliance. The other factors—how legitimate the authority is, whether others refuse to continue, and how close the experimenter is—also influence obedience, but the learner’s proximity directly maps onto the strongest pattern Milgram demonstrated: greater distance of the victim tends to raise obedience.