agency theory Flashcards
what is obedience
a form of social influence in which an individual follows a direct order. the person issuing the order is usually a figure of authority
what is autonomous state?
a mindset in which we behave independently and take accountability for our actions and the consequences
what is agentic state?
a mindset which allows us to carry out orders from an authority figure, even if they conflict with our personal morals. we absolve ourselves of responsibility by blaming the authority figure
what is agentic shift?
the switch between autonomous and agentic state that occurs when someone we perceive to be an authority figure orders us to do something that conflicts with our morals.
what is moral strain?
a state of mental discomfort experienced in the agentic state when a person’s actions conflict with their personal morals.
who’s theory is agency theory
Stanley Milgram
when do we operate in the autonomous state?
when we are by ourselves, with peers and with people that we perceive to be below us in the social hierarchy.
strength of agency theory
supported by Milgram’s 1964 study - this clearly supports Milgram’s suggestion that in the face of legitimate authority people are highly likely to carry out orders, despite high levels of moral strain.
what is the competing argument to the support of agency theory?
Gina Perry (2012) questioned the INTERNAL VALIDITY of Milgram’s study, saying that participants saw through the deception of the study
- many of the PPTS questioned whether the shocks were real and that across the studies 60% of ppts disobeyed the experimenter.
weakness of agency theory
agentic shift does not appear to be inevitable - Rank and Jacobson (1997) did a study with nurses and found that 16/18 nurses did not follow the orders from a doctor to overdose a patient
- although the doctor was a source of authority, the majority stayed autonomous
application of agency theory
agency theory can be applied to the military and using a range of strategies to ensure soldiers follow orders without questioning.
- for example, the use of euphemisms such as collateral damage and other dehumanising language to refer to the enemy
- this shows how an authority figure’s language can minimise moral strain and ensure people stay in the agentic state.
what is an alternate theory of obediance (ISSUES AND DEBATES)
Reicher (2012) has used social identity theory to explain obedience, using the concept of ENGAGED FOLLOWERSHIP. people obey leaders who are seen to be part of their social group because they identify with the leader.
