Final answer:
The Stanley Milgram experiment found that the rate of compliance by participants, or 'teachers', was higher when the authority figure was close by, demonstrating the influence of authority proximity on obedience. Hence, option (a) is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the Stanley Milgram experiment, which explored the effects of authority on obedience. The independent variable in the study was the degree of physical immediacy of an authority while the dependent variable was the rate of compliance by the participants. Various conditions in the experiment demonstrated that the proximity of the learner and how instructions were given by the authority figure significantly affected compliance.
From the options provided, the correct study finding is (a): The closer the authority was, the more the compliance of the teacher. This outcome highlights the powerful influence of authority on individual behavior, as participants were more likely to deliver shocks when the authority figure was physically present. Milgram's work has profound implications for understanding social behavior and the capacity of individuals to commit acts against their moral judgment under authoritative pressure.