agency theory Flashcards
what is the definition of obedience
a from of social influence in which the individual follows a direct order. the person ordering is usually an authority figure and has power to punish.
what is the autonomous state
at liberty to decide how we are going to behave, we take full responsibility for our actions, decisions and their consequences. typically when on our own, with friends or people below us in the social hierarchy.
what is the agent state
We become an agent to the authority figure. we believe we are acting on their behalf and we don’t take on the responsibility of our actions.we give up all free will have no choice but to obey. this can lead to genocide.
explain the agent shift
when meeting people we use our schemas to identify whether the person has legitimate authority and whether they have the right to give orders. if they do then we undergo the agent shift.
what is the moral strain
Symptoms of anxiety. inter conflict when you inwardly disagree with the orders but outwardly obey. nervous laughter, sweating, shaking.
what is a grounded theory
the research was conducted before the theory was constructed.
give research to support
milgram - all puts went to 300V and behaved as agents of the experimenter so they obeyed his orders.participants even sighed with relief when the experimenter said “I am responsible for what happens here.” - evidence of the agent state.
explain how conscience plays apart in this theory.
when working on our own we are conscience however when an agent of someone else’s orders instructions are not evaluated the same way as when acting independently. the diffusion of responsibility means the individual no longer monitors their own behaviour and are free to the demand of their conscience.
what is the application
explains why soilders in WW2 followed orders without questions. shows how obedience is not always a good and moral action. however it is limited as it leads to scapegoating and deferring responsibility and punishment thus no intervention to prevent reoccurring of genocide.
give a comparison
social impact theory highlights the importance of proximity, legitimacy and strength of the source supported by kilograms studies.
