Agency Theory

Question 1

What does agency theory explain?

Answer 1

Explains obedience by saying that people can enter a state of mind where they no longer feel responsible for their own actions.

Question 2

Autonomous state

Answer 2

Perceive ourselves to be responsible for our own behaviour so we feel giulty for what we do. E.g. ppts who left milgrams study before 450v

Question 3

Agentic state

Answer 3

Perceive ourselves to be the agent of someone else’s will; the authority figure commanding us is responsible for what we do so we no longer feel guilty. E.g. ppts who continued to give shocks in milgrams study.

Question 4

Agentic shift

Answer 4

An order from authority figures triggers the agentic shift into the agentic state which removes moral strain.
Milgram says this is due to the way we are socailised and evolution to obey hierarchy.

Question 5

Moral strain

Answer 5

When an authority figure issues an order that goes against our conscience, we experience moral strain because we have two contradictory urges.

Question 6

+Supported by milgram

Answer 6

Ppt experienced moral strain (shown by biting finger nails and neevous laughter)
When debriefed ppt that went to 450v (65%) reported feeling less responsible for their actions.

Question 7

+Supported by hofling

Answer 7

Study where nurses were told over the phone by unknown doctor to administer a dangerous dose of an unknown drug. Majority nurses were willing to obey the order against their better judgement (21/22)

Question 8

+Usefulness

Answer 8

Allows for better understanding of atrocities like the holocaust and abu ghraib prison. Many gaurds stated they were “just following orders”.
We can make people aware of their own responsibility and avoid dangers of the agentic state.

Question 9

-Individual difference

Answer 9

Still dont know why some dont and do obey.
Doesnt take into account personality types and free will (authoritarian is more susceptible)
This means it is deterministic.

Question 10

-objective & science

Answer 10

States of mind cannot be measured or tested.

Question 11

-other theories

Answer 11

In comparison to socail impact theory it doesnt take into account the situational factors such as strength and immediacy. Focusing more on the obedience rather than the authority figure