Discuss situational variables affecting obedience.
Updated: Oct 7
Question 9
Discuss situational variables affecting obedience. Refer to proximity, location and uniform in your answer.
[16 marks]
What is expected in the answer?
The command word “discuss” requires students to describe what research has found about the effects of proximity, location and uniform, and then evaluate what this research tells us about obedience. For 16 marks, students need substantial AO3 discussion, rather than simply describing Milgram’s variations.
All three variables are within the current AQA specification. It specifically requires proximity and location as investigated by Milgram, and uniform.
Marks for this question: AO1 = 6, AO3 = 10
Level | Marks | Description |
4 | 13–16 | Knowledge of proximity, location and uniform as situational variables affecting obedience is accurate and generally well detailed. Discussion is thorough and effective. The answer is clear, coherent and focused, with effective use of specialist terminology. Minor detail or expansion of argument may occasionally be lacking. |
3 | 9–12 | Knowledge of situational variables is evident, although there may be occasional inaccuracies or omissions. Discussion is mostly effective. The answer is generally clear and organised but may occasionally lack focus. Specialist terminology is used appropriately. |
2 | 5–8 | Limited knowledge of situational variables is present. The response is mainly descriptive and discussion is of limited effectiveness. One or more of the required variables may receive insufficient attention. The answer lacks clarity, accuracy or organisation in places. |
1 | 1–4 | Knowledge of situational variables is very limited. Discussion is limited, poorly focused or absent. There may be significant inaccuracies and little effective use of specialist terminology. |
0 | 0 | No relevant content. |
This closely reflects AQA's June 2022 16-mark mark scheme on situational variables, which allocated AO1 = 6 and AO3 = 10.
Indicative content
AO1: Knowledge and understanding
Proximity
Credit relevant knowledge of Milgram's variations, including:
Proximity concerns the physical distance between the person obeying, the authority figure and/or the person affected by the order.
In Milgram's baseline procedure, the experimenter was physically present and the learner was in another room.
In a same-room variation, the teacher and learner were placed in the same room and obedience decreased.
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