1.6 Social Influence | Situational Explanations Flashcards
What is agentic state?
A mental state where we feel no personal responsibility for our behaviour because we believe ourselves to be acting for an authoritative figure - frees us from the demands of our consciences and allows us to obey even a destructive authority figure
What was Milgram’s research into obedience influenced by?
The trial of Adolf Eichmann in 1961 for war crimes
Provide some details for this.
He was in charge of the Nazi death camps and he claimed he was only following orders
What is an agent?
Experiences high anxiety when they realise that what they are doing is wrong but they feel powerless to disobey
What is autonomous state?
The opposite of being in agentic state
What are binding factors?
Aspects of the situation that allow the person to ignore or minimise the damaging effect of their behaviour and reduce the ‘moral strain’ they feel
What is legitimacy of authority?
An explanation for obedience which suggests that we are more likely to obey people who we perceive to have authority over us. The authority is justified by the individual’s position of power within a social hierarchy.
What is a consequence of legitimacy of authority?
Some people are allowed to punish others due to the social construct which allows for society to run smoothly
How was this evident in Milgram’s experiment?
Experimenter used prods which made individuals act in a manner that went against their consciences
