Agency Theory Flashcards

1
Q

What are the three key concepts of Agency theory?

A

Autonomous State, Agentic State, Moral strain

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2
Q

How does evolution tie into Agency theory?

A

We have evolved the different states e.g. agentic state as it helps us survive as a group

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3
Q

What did Milgram suggest about socialisation and obedience?

A

We are socialised from a young age by parents/society to be obedient to those in authority

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4
Q

Define the Agentic State

A

You act as an agent of the authority figure, You place the responsibility onto the authority figure

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5
Q

Define the autonomous state

A

You act according to your own free will, You take responsibility for your own actions

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6
Q

What is moral strain?

A

The pressure you feel to obey when asked to do something that goes against your conscience as you want to do both.

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7
Q

What relieves moral strain?

A

Shifting into an autonomous state

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8
Q

What do you call it when moving from the autonomous state to the agentic state?

A

The agentic shift

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9
Q

How did Milgram’s participants show moral strain?

A

Nervous laughter, trembling and digging their nails into their skin

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10
Q

How does Milgram’s research support Agency theory?

A

65% went into the agentic state and shocked the learner when ordered by an authority figure

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11
Q

How does Hofling’s study support/conflict with Agency theory?

A

Because 21/22 nurses obeyed, showing they were in an agentic state because ordered by an authority figure

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12
Q

How is Impact theory better than Agency theory?

A

It includes more situational factors which influence obedience like number and immediacy making it less reductionist

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13
Q

How is Agency theory better than Impact theory?

A

It includes Moral Strain, how the person feels about being obedient but the other doesn’t, this makes it a more complete explanation of obedience

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14
Q

How can Agency theory be said to be useful to the real world?

A

Explains events like the holocaust/My Lai Massacre- it shows how the agentic state can happen in real life making it a credible explanation and can lead to a reduction in blind obedience through training etc

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15
Q

What other factor could cause obedience that Agency theory doesn’t account for?

A

It ignores individual factors like Authoritarian Personality and External Locus of control which could make people more obedient

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16
Q

What are the three key concepts of Agency theory?

A

Autonomous State, Agentic State, Moral strain