Obedience - Bickman (1974)

OUTLINE

Bickman's study was a field study conducted in Brooklyn, New York. Three male experimenters dressed as a civilian, a milkman or a guard, and asked them one of three things.

1. "Can you pick up this bag for me"
2. "This man is over-parked at the meter but doesn't have any change - give him a dime"
3. "Don't you know you have to stand on the other side of the pole ? This sign says no standing"

RESULTS

89% obeyed the guard, as he was a figure of authority with the power to punish.

57% obeyed the milkman, as he was a figure of authority.

33% obeyed the civilian.

CRITICISMS

1 - Because it was a field experiment, there was a lack of control over variables

• Extraneous variables (variables that can change the outcome such as noise, weather, or crowding which can't be controlled)
• These variables would be easier ti control in a laboratory setting but would reduce the experiment's ecological validity

2 - The participants were selected by opportunity sampling

• There was no knowledge of the person's circumstances or personality type.
• People could have an authoritarian personality, or be late.

3 - The study was unethical

• It was impossible to gain the participant's informed consent
• They also weren't debriefed
• This could've caused embarrassment or distress

4 - Results may be affected by gender

• All the experimenters were male, and people may be more likely to obey men than women.

5 - The study was in one city, in one country

• The study was culturally biased as it was conducted in an individualist culture.
• The results may vary if repeated in a collectivist culture