1.6: The agentic state Flashcards
Explanations of obedience attempt to give reasons as to why people obey.
Such explanations include what?
Such explanations include:
- Situational explanations
- Dispositional explanations
Explanations of obedience attempt to give reasons as to why people obey.
Such explanations include situational explanations and dispositional explanations.
Situational explanations for obedience focus on what?
Situational explanations for obedience focus on environmental factors associated with obedience
Explanations of obedience attempt to give reasons as to why people obey.
Such explanations include situational explanations and dispositional explanations.
Dispositional explanations for obedience focus on what?
Dispositional explanations for obedience focus on personality characteristics that influence people to obey
Explanations of obedience attempt to give reasons as to why people obey.
Such explanations include situational explanations and dispositional explanations.
Explanations do not necessarily work in isolation to each other, so it may well be that 2 or more explanations can be what to show why an individual obeys in a given situation?
Explanations do not necessarily work in isolation to each other, so it may well be that:
1. 2
Or,
2. More
explanations can be combined together to show why an individual obeys in a given situation
Who (what year) proposed the idea of the agency theory?
Milgram (1974) proposed the idea of the agency theory
Milgram (1974) proposed the idea of the agency theory, which argues what?
Milgram (1974) proposed the idea of the agency theory, which argues that we are socialised from an early age to learn that obedience to rules is necessary to keep stability within society
Milgram (1974) proposed the idea of the agency theory, which argues that we are socialised from an early age to learn that obedience to rules is necessary to keep stability within society.
However, in order to achieve this, an individual has to give up what?
In order to achieve this, an individual has to give up some of their free will
Free will
Free will is the ability to have conscious control over:
- Thoughts
- Actions
Milgram (1974) proposed the idea of the agency theory, which argues that we are socialised from an early age to learn that obedience to rules is necessary to keep stability within society.
However, in order to achieve this, an individual has to give up some of their free will.
When an individual what, they are said to be in an autonomous state?
When an individual:
1. Does have control
2. Acts according to their own wishes
,they are said to be in an autonomous state
Milgram (1974) proposed the idea of the agency theory, which argues that we are socialised from an early age to learn that obedience to rules is necessary to keep stability within society.
However, in order to achieve this, an individual has to give up some of their free will.
When an individual does have control and acts according to their own wishes, they are said to be in an autonomous state and thus see themselves as what for their actions?
When an individual does have control and acts according to their own wishes, they:
- Are said to be in an autonomous state
- Thus see themselves as personally responsible for their actions
Autonomous state
The autonomous state is the opposite of the agentic state, where individuals are seen as personally responsible for their actions
Milgram (1974) proposed the idea of the agency theory, which argues that we are socialised from an early age to learn that obedience to rules is necessary to keep stability within society.
However, in order to achieve this, an individual has to give up some of their free will.
When an individual does have control and acts according to their own wishes, they are said to be in an autonomous state and thus see themselves as personally responsible for their actions.
However, when an individual obeys an authority figure, they do what?
When an individual obeys an authority figure, they:
- Give up some of their free will
- Enter an agentic state
Milgram (1974) proposed the idea of the agency theory, which argues that we are socialised from an early age to learn that obedience to rules is necessary to keep stability within society.
However, in order to achieve this, an individual has to give up some of their free will.
When an individual does have control and acts according to their own wishes, they are said to be in an autonomous state and thus see themselves as personally responsible for their actions.
However, when an individual obeys an authority figure, they give up some of their free will and enter an agentic state, where they see themselves as an agent of what?
When an individual obeys an authority figure, they:
1. Give up some of their free will
2. Enter an agentic state
,where they see themselves as an agent of the authority figure giving the order
Milgram (1974) proposed the idea of the agency theory, which argues that we are socialised from an early age to learn that obedience to rules is necessary to keep stability within society.
However, in order to achieve this, an individual has to give up some of their free will.
When an individual does have control and acts according to their own wishes, they are said to be in an autonomous state and thus see themselves as personally responsible for their actions.
However, when an individual obeys an authority figure, they give up some of their free will and enter an agentic state, where they see themselves as an agent of the authority figure giving the order.
It is therefore the authority figure who is seen as responsible for what?
It is therefore the authority figure who is seen as responsible for the consequences of the individual’s actions
Milgram (1974) proposed the idea of the agency theory, which argues that we are socialised from an early age to learn that obedience to rules is necessary to keep stability within society.
However, in order to achieve this, an individual has to give up some of their free will.
When an individual does have control and acts according to their own wishes, they are said to be in an autonomous state and thus see themselves as personally responsible for their actions.
However, when an individual obeys an authority figure, they give up some of their free will and enter an agentic state, where they see themselves as an agent of the authority figure giving the order.
It is therefore the authority figure who is seen as responsible for the consequences of the individual’s actions.
In this way, a person becomes what?
In this way, a person becomes de-individuated
Milgram (1974) proposed the idea of the agency theory, which argues that we are socialised from an early age to learn that obedience to rules is necessary to keep stability within society.
However, in order to achieve this, an individual has to give up some of their free will.
When an individual does have control and acts according to their own wishes, they are said to be in an autonomous state and thus see themselves as personally responsible for their actions.
However, when an individual obeys an authority figure, they give up some of their free will and enter an agentic state, where they see themselves as an agent of the authority figure giving the order.
It is therefore the authority figure who is seen as responsible for the consequences of the individual’s actions.
In this way, a person becomes de-individuated, losing what?
In this way, a person becomes de-individuated, losing their sense of individuality
Milgram (1974) proposed the idea of the agency theory, which argues that we are socialised from an early age to learn that obedience to rules is necessary to keep stability within society.
However, in order to achieve this, an individual has to give up some of their free will.
When an individual does have control and acts according to their own wishes, they are said to be in an autonomous state and thus see themselves as personally responsible for their actions.
However, when an individual obeys an authority figure, they give up some of their free will and enter an agentic state, where they see themselves as an agent of the authority figure giving the order.
It is therefore the authority figure who is seen as responsible for the consequences of the individual’s actions.
In this way, a person becomes de-individuated, losing their sense of individuality, and so may obey orders that go against their moral code, because they don’t see themselves as what?
In this way, a person:
1. Becomes de-individuated, losing their sense of individuality
So
2. May obey orders that go against their moral code, because they don’t see themselves as responsible for their behaviour
Milgram (1974) proposed the idea of the agency theory, which argues that we are socialised from an early age to learn that obedience to rules is necessary to keep stability within society.
However, in order to achieve this, an individual has to give up some of their free will.
When an individual does have control and acts according to their own wishes, they are said to be in an autonomous state and thus see themselves as personally responsible for their actions.
However, when an individual obeys an authority figure, they give up some of their free will and enter an agentic state, where they see themselves as an agent of the authority figure giving the order.
It is therefore the authority figure who is seen as responsible for the consequences of the individual’s actions.
In this way, a person becomes de-individuated, losing their sense of individuality, and so may obey orders that go against their moral code, because they don’t see themselves as responsible for their behaviour.
The agency theory therefore sees obedience as occurring in what?
The agency theory therefore sees obedience as occurring in hierarchical social systems
Hierarchical social systems
Hierarchical social systems are systems with people having different ranks to each other
What is the way in which an individual may obey an order, perhaps to do something that they see as ‘wrong’?
The agentic state is the way in which an individual may obey an order, perhaps to do something that they see as ‘wrong’
The agentic state is the way in which an individual may obey an order, perhaps to do something that they see as ‘wrong,’ because the individual hands over the responsibility for the what of the action to the authority figure?
The agentic state is the way in which an individual may obey an order, perhaps to do something that they see as ‘wrong,’ because the individual hands over the responsibility for the outcome of the action to the authority figure
The agentic state is the way in which an individual may obey an order, perhaps to do something that they see as ‘wrong,’ because the individual hands over the responsibility for the outcome of the action to the authority figure.
The individual sees themselves as acting as an agent for the authority figure and therefore does not feel what?
The individual:
- Sees themselves as acting as an agent for the authority figure
- Therefore does not feel responsible
Agentic state
The agentic state is a state in which a person carries out the orders of another individual, acting as an agent, with little responsibility
Milgram (1974) proposed the idea of the agency theory, which argues that we are socialised from an early age to learn that obedience to rules is necessary to keep stability within society.
However, in order to achieve this, an individual has to give up some of their free will.
When an individual does have control and acts according to their own wishes, they are said to be in an autonomous state and thus see themselves as personally responsible for their actions.
However, when an individual obeys an authority figure, they give up some of their free will and enter an agentic state, where they see themselves as an agent of the authority figure giving the order.
It is therefore the authority figure who is seen as responsible for the consequences of the individual’s actions.
In this way, a person becomes de-individuated, losing their sense of individuality, and so may obey orders that go against their moral code, because they don’t see themselves as responsible for their behaviour.
The agency theory therefore sees obedience as occurring in hierarchical social systems, where individuals will do what?
The agency theory therefore sees obedience as occurring in hierarchical social systems, where individuals will:
1. Act as agents for
2. So obey
those of perceived higher ranks than themselves
Milgram (1974) proposed the idea of the agency theory, which argues that we are socialised from an early age to learn that obedience to rules is necessary to keep stability within society.
However, in order to achieve this, an individual has to give up some of their free will.
When an individual does have control and acts according to their own wishes, they are said to be in an autonomous state and thus see themselves as personally responsible for their actions.
However, when an individual obeys an authority figure, they give up some of their free will and enter an agentic state, where they see themselves as an agent of the authority figure giving the order.
It is therefore the authority figure who is seen as responsible for the consequences of the individual’s actions.
In this way, a person becomes de-individuated, losing their sense of individuality, and so may obey orders that go against their moral code, because they don’t see themselves as responsible for their behaviour.
The agency theory therefore sees obedience as occurring in hierarchical social systems, where individuals will act as agents for and so obey those of perceived higher ranks than themselves.
Adolf Eichmann, the Nazi responsible for the extermination of millions during the Second World War, saw himself as in the agentic state with his defence that he was ‘only following orders.’
In other words, that he was merely doing what and so was not himself responsible for the genocide?
In other words, that he was:
1. Merely complying with the orders of a higher-ranked authority than himself
So
2. Not himself responsible for the genocide
Diffusion of responsibility
Diffusion of responsibility is when we:
- Defer to somebody else in authority
- Believe that it is their responsibility, not ours, if we do this
What could make someone enter the agentic state?
- The use of verbal prods
- The distress that people are put in
could make someone enter the agentic state
The use of verbal prods and the distress that people are put in could make someone enter the agentic state.
In the variation of Milgram’s obedience study where the setting is a run-down building, people obeyed less.
Was this because they didn’t what?
Was this because they didn’t trust the authority figure?
Milgram described the agentic shift as what?
Milgram described the agentic shift as the shift between:
- An autonomous state, where we see ourselves as responsible for our own actions
- The agentic state, when we see the authority figure as responsible for our actions
In follow-up questions from the Milgram experiment, people said things like what?
In follow-up questions from the Milgram experiment, people said things like, ‘‘I would not have done it myself - I was just doing what I was told’’
The role of self image - We all like to maintain a what?
The role of self image - We all like to maintain a positive self image
The role of self image - We all like to maintain a positive self image.
If we’re tempted to give shocks, it will not be good for our self-image, but if we enter into the agentic state, somebody else will be responsible, so we can keep a what?
If we’re tempted to give shocks, it will not be good for our self-image, but if we enter into the agentic state, somebody else will be responsible, so we can keep a positive self image
The role of self image - We all like to maintain a positive self image.
If we’re tempted to give shocks, it will not be good for our self-image, but if we enter into the agentic state, somebody else will be responsible, so we can keep a positive self image.
We do not have to deal with any what?
We do not have to deal with any guilt
Milgram was so astounded by the results of his obedience study that he subsequently conducted 19 variations of the study, each time varying one aspect of the procedure, to try and identify the reasons why people were so obedient.
One variation of the basic experiment was surveillance (if the experimenter left the room and gave orders on a telephone link).
Obedience dropped to 20% from 65%.
This suggests that participants what?
This suggests that participants:
- Were in the autonomous state
- Saw themselves as responsible for their actions
Milgram (1963) reported that many participants in his study were under what?
Milgram (1963) reported that many participants in his study were under moral strain
Milgram (1963) reported that many participants in his study were under moral strain, because during debriefing many participants admitted that they knew what they were doing was what?
Milgram (1963) reported that many participants in his study were under moral strain, because during debriefing many participants admitted that they knew what they were doing was wrong
Milgram (1963) reported that many participants in his study were under moral strain, because during debriefing many participants admitted that they knew what they were doing was wrong (what back this up, too)?
Milgram (1963) reported that many participants in his study were under moral strain, because during debriefing many participants admitted that they knew what they were doing was wrong (their physical reactions back this up, too)
Milgram (1963) reported that many participants in his study were under moral strain, because during debriefing many participants admitted that they knew what they were doing was wrong (their physical reactions back this up, too).
However, they continued to obey, which suggests that they what?
They continued to obey, which suggests that they:
- Were in an agentic state
- Felt that they had to obey the orders of a higher-ranked authority figure
Legitimacy of authority
Legitimacy of authority is the degree to which individuals are seen as justified in having power over others
Obedient individuals accept the what of authority figures to give orders?
Obedient individuals accept the:
1. Power
2. Status
of authority figures to give orders
Obedient individuals accept the power and status of authority figures to give orders - they are seen as being in what?
Obedient individuals accept the:
1. Power
2. Status
of authority figures to give orders - they are seen as being in charge
Obedient individuals accept the power and status of authority figures to give orders - they are seen as being in charge.
This again links to the agency theory that individuals are socialised to recognise the value of obedience to authority figures as helping to keep stability in society.
From an early age, people experience examples of social roles relating to master and servant relationships, such as parent-child, teacher-student, ect, where we learn that those higher in the what should be obeyed?
From an early age, people experience examples of social roles relating to master and servant relationships, such as:
1. Parent-child
2. Teacher-student
,ect, where we learn that those higher in the social hierarchy should be obeyed
Obedient individuals accept the power and status of authority figures to give orders - they are seen as being in charge.
This again links to the agency theory that individuals are socialised to recognise the value of obedience to authority figures as helping to keep stability in society.
From an early age, people experience examples of social roles relating to master and servant relationships, such as parent-child, teacher-student, ect, where we learn that those higher in the social hierarchy should be obeyed.
The emphasis here, therefore, is on doing one’s what?
The emphasis here, therefore, is on doing one’s perceived duty
Milgram (1963) reported that some participants in his study ignored what?
Milgram (1963) reported that some participants in his study ignored the learner’s apparent distress
Milgram (1963) reported that some participants in his study ignored the learner’s apparent distress, showing what themselves?
Milgram (1963) reported that some participants in his study ignored the learner’s apparent distress, showing little sign of harm themselves
Milgram (1963) reported that some participants in his study ignored the learner’s apparent distress, showing little sign of harm themselves, but instead focused on doing what?
Milgram (1963) reported that some participants in his study ignored the learner’s apparent distress, showing little sign of harm themselves, but instead focused on following the procedure
Milgram (1963) reported that some participants in his study ignored the learner’s apparent distress, showing little sign of harm themselves, but instead focused on following the procedure, for example by doing what?
Milgram (1963) reported that some participants in his study ignored the learner’s apparent distress, showing little sign of harm themselves, but instead focused on following the procedure, for example by pressing the buttons properly
Milgram (1963) reported that some participants in his study ignored the learner’s apparent distress, showing little sign of harm themselves, but instead focused on following the procedure, for example by pressing the buttons properly.
In this way, they could be seen to be doing what?
In this way, they could be seen to be:
- Doing their duty
- Therefore recognising the legitimate authority of the researcher
