Agency Theory Flashcards
What is the agency theory?
It is the theory Milgram created following his studies on obedience.
What are the two social states that Milgram proposed?
Autonomous State and Agentic State
What is the Autonomous State?
When we act as individuals and of our own free will. We make our own decisions and we follow our conscience .
We take responsibility for our actions.
What is the Agentic State?
When we give up our free will in order to follow the orders of an authority figure.
We become an ‘agent’ of the authority figure and defer responsibility onto them.
What is Moral Strain?
Negative feelings we experience when pressured to do something that goes against our values and moral compass.
What happens when we experience moral strain?
We use defence mechanisms (such as denial and repression) to avoid the distress.
What does Agency theory believe about the creation of the agentic state?
The theory believes we are socialised into an agentic state from a young age.
Eg: We learn to obey parents and teachers as children and become an agent to follow social rules.
Why does Agency theory believe being an agent has evolved?
To avoid conflict and enable the smooth running of a society. Milgram believed that the agentic state may have had survival value.
Name 2 strengths of Agency Theory
Milgram - all participants delivered an electric shock to 300 volts, 65% delivered shocks up to 450 volts
Hoffling et al - 21 out of 22 nurses obeyed the doctor’s orders and were about to administer an overdose of a medicine to a patient.
Name 2 weaknesses of Agency Theory
Rank and Jacobson - 16 out of 18 nurses failed to obey orders from a doctor to administer an overdose of the drug Valium.
It does not explain individual differences such as personality, gender and situation.
What situation can Agency Theory be applied to?
Holocaust and Nazi solidiers
