agency theory Flashcards
What is agency theory?
Agency theory explains how individuals obey authority figures , shifting between autonomous and agentic states depending on the situation
What is the autonomous state in agency theory?
In the autonomous state, individuals act according to their own principles and take responsibility for their own actions
What is the agentic state in agency theory?
Individuals see themselves an agent carrying out an order from authority , shifting responsibility onto the authority figure
What is moral strain in the context of agency theory?
Moral strain occurs when an individual feels psychological harm and feels uncomfortable with their actions because they conflict with their personal morals , yet they continue to obey authority due to the agentic state
What role does authority play in agency theory?
Authority is a key component, as individuals enter the agentic state when they perceive someone as having legitimate power over them
What is the agentic shift?
The agentic shift is the process of an individual moving from the autonomous state to the agentic state when confronted by an authority figure.
How does social hierarchy relate to agency theory?
Agency theory suggests that societal structures and hierarchies reinforce obedience, making individuals more likely to enter the genetic state in the presence of authority figures.
What evidence supports agency theory?
Milgram’s obedience study 1963 , showed that participants obeyed authority figures even when it conflicted with their personal morals
How can you end moral stain in the context of agency theory?
- shift responsibility to the authority figure
- change the perspective of the victim by dehumanising of distancing yourself from the victim
How does agency theory compare with social impact theory?
Agency theory focuses on the internal state of individuals when obeying authority, social impact theory considers the strength , immediacy and number of people in influencing obedience , making it more comprehensive in explaining social influence
Who proposed agency theory and when?
Milgram 1974
