Agentic state and Legitimacy of authority

Question 1

agentic shift

Answer 1

when a person moves from an autonomous state into an agentic state

Question 2

autonomous state

Answer 2

when a person sees themselves responsible for their own actions

Question 3

agentic state

Answer 3

where a person sees themselves as an agent for carrying out another person’s wishes e.g. ppts in milgram’s study said they wouldn’t have continued the shocks by themselves, only doing what they were told

Question 4

self image and the agentic state

Answer 4

• ppl adopt this state to maintain a positive self image
• when asked to shock the learner ppts assess the consequences for their self image and refrain, but when in the agentic state this doesn’t matters as the actions aren’t their responsibility

Question 5

factors keeping ppts in the agentic state

Answer 5

• social etiquette: fears breaching the committment made to the research will make them appear rude
• these emotions bind ppts into obedience

Question 6

conditions for shifting into the agentic state:

Answer 6

Legitimacy of authority, the definition of the situation, legitimate authority requires an institution

Question 7

Legitimacy of authority

Answer 7

• someone who is perceived to be in a position of social control
• the power of a legit authority stems from their perceived position in a social situation
• milgram believed there is a shared expectation that most situations have socially controlling figures

Question 8

the definition of the situation

Answer 8

• people accept definitions of a situation that are provided by a legit authority
• ppts allows the authority figure to define the meaning of the action e.g. reassuring the ppts the learner is fine and not in danger

Question 9

legitimate authority requires an institution

Answer 9

• authority commands must occur within an institutional structure to be perceived as legit
• doesn’t have to be reputable or distinguish e.g Bridgeport office

Question 10

a buffer

Answer 10

a situation that protects people from facing the consequences of their actions
e.g. in milgram’s study ppts were protected from seeing the learner

Question 11

gradual committment

Answer 11

• if the initial request is small you won’t mind obeying, the next request will be slightly more, building up to the next request

Question 12

without the buffer

Answer 12

obedience dropped from 65% to 40%

Question 13

destructive authority

Answer 13

• using legit powers for destructive purposes e.g. hitler
• shows how obedience can have severe consequences in the real world
• we must believe the person or situation has genuine power e.g. obedience dropping to 48% in Bridgeport office