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A level psychology

In a field experiment, Bickman (1974) found that visible symbols of authority, such as uniforms, increased levels of obedience. Three male experimenters dressed either in uniform (as a milkman or a guard) or as a civilian (in a coat and tie) made requests of passers-by in a street in New York, for example, they asked them to pick up a bag for them or provide money for a parking meter. People were most likely to obey the experimenter who was dressed as a guard and least likely to obey the experimenter dressed as a civilian.

1) Find a psychological explanation of obedience that accounts for Bickman’s results. 1 mark

2) What is meant by a field experiment in psychology? Why is this study a field experiment? 2 marks

3) Find two ethical guidelines for research in psychology and explain whether or not this study meets them. 4 marks