Agency Theory Flashcards
What is an Autonomous State?
In the Autonomous State we perceive ourselves to be responsible for our own behaviour so we feel guilt for what we do. E.g. participants who left
Miligram’s study before 450v.
What is the Agentic State?
In the Agentic State we obey an authority figure. This can result in Moral strain but this goes away when you begin to obey. We perceive ourselves to be the agent of someone else’s will; the authority figure commanding us is responsible for what we do so we feel no guilt. E.g. Participants who continued to give shocks in Milgram’s study because they no longer felt responsible for their actions.
What is Moral Strain?
Moral Strain: the feeling of guilt/anxiety you get for going against your conscience when being ordered by an authority figure.
What study supports Agency Theory?
Milgram’s study as participants experienced moral strain (shown
through biting finger nails and nervous laughter) and were obedient 65% went to
450V when ordered to by an authority figure lending support for Agentic state and a
strong feeling of responsibility towards the authority figure.
How is Agency Theory useful?
Agency theory allows us to better understand atrocities like the Holocaust and Abu Ghraib prison. For example, many guards in concentration camps stated they were “just following orders” rather than feeling personally responsible for their
actions. It means if we can make people aware of their own personal responsibility we can avoid the dangers of an agentic state.
What is one weakness of Agency Theory?
There are many problems with Milgram’s research such as its small sample, only
males, and low ecological validity which mean that the theory might not be valid
because the research isn’t valid/generalisable.
What does Agency Theory ignore?
Ignores individual differences: e.g., the authoritarian personality where it is a trait about them which makes them look up to authority figures, since Agency theory only
looks at the situational factors it ignores individual differences and so is not a
complete explanation of obedience.
What is the problem with empiricalism?
Problems with empiricism: Agentic and Autonomous are states of mind that are very
difficult to see and measure. There has been little brain scan evidence to show that
these are true states which are measurable as existing. Similarly, it is difficult to test
the idea that this behaviour has evolved.
