Describe five variations Milgram used to study factors that may influence obedience,and summarize his findings and conclusions.

Milgram used several variations in his study to investigate factors that may influence obedience. These variations included changing the proximity of the authority figure to the participant, the proximity of the victim to the participant, the presence of disobedient peers, the legitimacy of the authority figure, and the location of the study.

In one variation, the authority figure was placed in the same room as the participant, increasing the immediacy and pressure to obey. In another variation, the victim was placed in the same room as the participant, increasing the emotional impact of their suffering. In a third variation, disobedient peers were present, providing a model for defiance and reducing the pressure to conform. In a fourth variation, the legitimacy of the authority figure was questioned, leading to lower levels of obedience. Finally, the location of the study was changed from a prestigious university to a run-down office building, which also affected obedience levels.

Overall, Milgram found that proximity to the authority figure and victim, the presence of disobedient peers, the legitimacy of the authority figure, and the location of the study all had significant effects on obedience levels. Participants were more likely to obey when the authority figure was closer, the victim was further away, there were no disobedient peers, the authority figure was perceived as legitimate, and the study was conducted in a prestigious location.

Milgram concluded that obedience is influenced by a combination of situational and social factors, and that individuals are more likely to obey when these factors align to create a strong pressure to conform. These findings have important implications for understanding obedience and authority in social contexts.