Obedience Core Study Bickman 1974

Core Study – Bickman (1974) BATs ALL Outline Bickman’s research into obedience and the power of uniform (E) MOST - Plan and collect data on a replication of Bickman’s research Outline limitations of Bickman's experiment SOME Explain limitations of Bickman’s research (A)

What makes someone obey? Setting Number of people around (consensus) Culture Does the appearance of a person in authority make a difference?

Can you identify these uniforms? Who are you most likely to obey?

Over to you... Read pages Core Study Fill in the Study Summary Sheet for Bickman's Field experiment You may prefer to create a story board or mind map – there are pictures to help you Stretch and Challenge Why did each person have to dress up in each costume?

Bickman 1974 Aim – Does appearance affect how people obey others? Procedure – Field experiment 3 male experimenters – each took it in turn to dress as a civilian (jacket and tie), milkman, guard uniform (looked like a police officer) Gave orders to 153 random pedestrians on a street in Brooklyn, New York Why did each person have to dress up in each costume?

What were the orders? Picking up litter – ‘Pick up this bag for me.’ Coin and parking meter – ‘This man is overparked at the meter but doesn’t have any change – give him a dime.’ Bus Stop – ‘Don’t you know you have to stand on the other side of the pole? This sign says “No Standing”.’

Findings of Bickman’s study Obedience Rate (%) Type of Uniform 89% 57% 33%

Conclusion Demonstrated the power of certain types of uniform. Dress can suggest authority. When people think someone will punish them, they are more likely to obey. Do as you are told – or else!!

Limitations of the Experiment? Discuss the above question in pairs. Jot down your best idea on the whiteboard Which were the best ideas and why? Can you explain why this is a limitation? (A)

Limitations of Bickman’s Study There was a lack of control over variables… …factors such as crowding, weather and noise could have affected obedience rates. The study was unethical… … because participants had not given consent and may have been caused distress, embarassment and discomfort. The confederates (wearing the uniform) were all men… … so there may have been a gender bias in results – would people react the same to women in uniforms?

Limitations of Bickman’s Study Pedestrians were selected by opportunity sampling – The personality or circumstances of the participants were not known. They might have been in a hurry, depressed or just absent-minded The study was only carried out in one city in one country – There is evidence that Culture affects obedience levels. So we can’t be sure if passers by from other cities or countries would be as obedient. Culturally Biased research Add the limitations to the summary sheet

Over to you … Imagine you were going to try to recreate Bickman’s Field Experiment in school How could we do this? Use the planning sheet to help you. How could you improve on Bickman's experiment and ensure the findings would be valid and reliable?

Peer Assessment Activity Look at another groups plan Would their plan give valid and reliable results? Would it be ethical? Give constructive feedback … 2 stars (good points) and a wish (how could they improve?)

Analysing Data You are going to see the results of an experiment done by last year's Y10 Find the percentage obedience rate of each condition number of those who obeyed x 100 total number of people tested Draw a bar chart of your data Can you come to the same conclusion as Bickman?

Extension In 3s create one street scene each from Bickman’s study Make a comic strip with cartoon and speech bubbles or do a role play Some pictures are available for you to use.

Plenary Share your cartoon – who did the best one? Why? Homework Answer questions 1-8 Activity 4.8 p57 Stretch and Challenge – have a go at the experiment you planned and collect data