1 Social Influence- Obedience P3 (legitimacy of authority)

Question 1

how is society ordered?

Answer 1

in a hierarchial way where it is accepted that those high in the hierarchy have more authority

Question 2

authrority

Answer 2

the amount of social power held by the individual- therefore those above us in the hierarchy are justified in issuing demands or orders

Question 3

how can an authority figure be seen as legitimate?

Answer 3

-we trust them
-they have the power to punish

Question 4

how ais legitimacy of authority often recognised?

Answer 4

visual cues that act as SYMBOLS OF POWER
e.g. police uniforms

Question 5

A03 legitimacy of authority
supporting evidence point

Answer 5

Milgram’s variation of the experimenter being replaced with a normally dressed person
-% obedience decreased from 65 to 20
-symbol of power in uniform was reduced as the lab coat changed to normal clothes, suggesting that those seen above us in hierarchy are more justified in issuing an order to shock learner
therefore, the symbol of power change in uniform and % decrease in obedience supports this theory has an explanation of obedience= valid

Question 6

A03 legitimacy of authority
opposing evidence point

Answer 6

Rank and Jacobson 1977 found that when nurses were familiar with the drug, only 2/18 obeyed the overdose order
-shows that they carry out the demand despite the legitimacy of the doctor’s authority
-this reduces the validity
this behaviour could be due to the nurses knew the drug and the consequences of it, morally was wrong

Question 7

A03 legitimacy of authority
determinism point

Answer 7

legitimacy of authority presents a deterministic explanation of behaviour
-proposes our behaviour is caused by factors beyond our control- caused by authority levels we view someone to have- the society we live in/ childhood learning
-suggests that we behave in predictable ways, have no control, automatically happens
therefore, can individuals be held accountable?
we need to be careful with how we use this theory, it cannot be used to excuse harmful acts

Question 8

A03 legitimacy of authority
application point

Answer 8

it is appliable to real life examples such as during the holocaust where german soldiers participated in mass killing jews in gas chambers, based upon nazi ideology that they were superior to jews.
-social hierarchies within military are used where soldiers are expected to obey every order given by superiors with uniforms and badges
therefore, it is highly useful in explaining obedience within war atrocities and we can take steps to ensure they do not occur.