Agency Theory Flashcards
who developed agency theory
milgram
how does agency theory suggest obedience can be explained
in terms of functions of heirarchal social systems - seen from an evolutionary perspective
what is control like in a heirarchal system
some degree of control is given up as part of accepting control from a superior in the heirarchy.
destructive obedience
obeying orders which leads to the harming of other people
grounded theory
the research was conducted before the theory was constructed
what type of obedience can obedience lead to
destructive obedience
what are the two basic states of mind for human beings
autonomous state
agentic state
autonomous state
we are at liberty to decide how we behave
we take greater responsibilities for the consequences of our actions
agentic state
mindset which allows us to carry our orders from an authority figure - even if they go against our own personal morality because we dissolve ourselves of responsibility
what is the primary cause for the agentic state
perception of authority
what is suppressed when working as a part of a social system
conscience
this is called organisational mode
agentic shift
when a person shifts from the autonomous state to the agentic state
moral strain
a state of mental discomfort or anxiety
when is moral strain experienced
in the agentic state when a persons actions conflict with their personal morality
binding factors
aspects of the situation that allow the person to ignore or minimise the damaging effects of moral strain
why did people feel unable to give up in milgrams study
binding factors
how does the agentic state link to evolution
being a part of an organised society increased survival chances, therefore we have an instinct to remain a part of the pack or group
how is obedience shaped
by different experiences within primary and secondary socialisation
4 ways of dealing with moral strain
denial
displacement
avoidance
rationalisation
denial
ignoring the reality of a situation to avoid anxiety
displacement
redirecting an emotional reality to another person
rationalisation
people justify difficult or unacceptable feelings with logical reasons
avoidance
dismissing thoughts or feelings that are uncomfortable
why do milgram’s findings support agency theory
100% of the participants administered 300v and 65% administered the 450v shock
