Agency Theory

Question 1

Define the Autonomous State

Answer 1

The autonomous state is when a human acts according to their own free will

Question 2

Define the Agentic state

Answer 2

The agent state is when a human misgiven instructions by an authority figure, they see themselves as an agent to authority and therefore act on the figure’s behalf

Question 3

Define Moral Strain

Answer 3

Moral strain occurs when people are asked to do something that they would not choose to do, as they feel it immoral.
Results in high level of anxiety and therefore shifts to the agent state to relieve moral strain

Question 4

Why is the Agency theory credible?

Answer 4

• There is supporting evidence from Milgram showed 65% of ops obeyed to authority figure.
• Participants showed signs of moral strain.
• When debriefed participants said the behaviour was the responsibility of the experimenter.

Question 5

Why is the Agency theory useful?

Answer 5

• Explains inexplicable action (Nazis)

- Can use it in the future for research

Question 6

Why is the Agency theory reductionist?

Answer 6

• does not explain individual differences
• Adorno suggested the authoritarian personality
• 35% in Milgram didn’t go to the full shocks.
• This shows disobedience c an occur for many reasons e.g. personality, age, gender
• Theory doesn’t mention this

Question 7

Why does the agency theory lack scientific credibility

Answer 7

• Agentic and autonomous are states of mind which cannot be objectively measured