agentic state

Question 1

define the ‘agentic state’

Answer 1

individual feels no responsibility over their behaviour as they believe they are acting for an authority figure.

Question 2

define an ‘autonomous state’

Answer 2

being aware of the consequences of your actions and taking voluntary control of one’s behaviour . This explains why some individuals act independently rather than obediently.

Question 3

define the ‘agentic shift’

Answer 3

changing from an autonomous state to an agentic state. from taking responsibility of your own actions to believing your acting on behalf of an authority figure.

Question 4

what are blinding factors

Answer 4

Milgram argues that there are aspects of a situation that allow an agent to ignore or minimise the damaging effect of their behaviour and thus reduce their moral strain AKA blinding factors.

Question 5

what is a strength of agentic state

Answer 5

there is supporting evidence for the agentic state as an explanation for experience. In one variation of Milgram’s experiment an additional confederate the electric shocks on behalf of the teacher. The % of participants who administered the full 450 volts rose from 65% to 92%. they felt no responsibility as they shifted the blame to the person administering the shocks. the ability to enter an agentic state increases the level of obedience, as the level of personal responsibility decreases.