Key obedience study: Bickman 1974

To investigate whether people were more likely to obey those with visible signs of authority. 

Field experiment involving 3 male volunteers, each dressed as either a policeman, a milkman, or casual sportswear. These men asked people on the streets of New York tasks, e.g. asking for money for a parking metre.

Participants were most likely to obey the policeman

Findings support the idea that obidience is related to the amount of percieved authority. 

• Field experiement so high ecological validity and mundane realism
• Decreased control, and more ethical issues, e.g. informed consent and deception. 

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