1.5 Agentic state and legitimacy of authority

Question 1

Define ‘agentic shift’

Answer 1

The shift a person makes into a state where they have no will power .
Autonomous –> agentic state

Question 2

define agentic state.

Answer 2

A person sees himself or herself as an agent carrying out another person’s wishes

Question 3

define legitimate authority

Answer 3

a person who is perceived to be in a position of social control within a situation.

Question 4

summarise agentic state

Answer 4

person acts as an agent to carry out another person’s wishes

binding factors operate to maintain obedience, e.g. social etiquette

Question 5

summarise legitimacy of authority

Answer 5

person must perceive an individual in a position of social control
people accept definitions of a situation offered by a legitimate authority figure
legitimate commands arise from institutions e.g. a university or military

Question 6

evaluate agentic state and legitimacy of authority as an explanations for obedience

Answer 6

the agentic state does not explain gradual transitions found in nazi doctors
agentic state or cruelty?
legitimacy can serve as the basis for justifying harm to others
agentic shift is a common response when person loses self-control (personal control)
Tarnow provides support for power of legitimate authority in aircraft cockpits

Question 7

explain the effect of binding factors on the agentic state, give an example of a study where this is seen

Answer 7

Milgram’s shock study
once a person has entered an agentic state, what keeps them in it?
in all social situations there is a social etiquette that plays a part in regulating our behaviour
the subject fears that if they break off their behaviour they will appear arrogant and rude and thus a change in behaviour will not be taken lightly
these emotions help bind the subject into obedience even though there emotions are small in scope compared to the ‘violence’ being inflicted on the learner

Question 8

why do people often adopt an agentic state?

Answer 8

people adopt an agentic state because of the need to maintain a positive self image.
the participant assess the consequences of their actions on his/her self-image and often refrains.
however once in the agentic state, the evaluative concern is no longer relevant because the action is no longer their responsibility, it no longer reflects their self image.
actions performed under the agentic state are from the participants perspective guilt-free.