Evaluation of socio-psychological factors of obedience

Question 1

There is evidence to suggest that a legitimate authority can make us carry out negative behaviours. Why is this a strength (Example)

Answer 1

Tarnow looked at the causes of serious plane accidents and found that on 19/37 accidents the flight crew failed to challenge the captain on a decision that lead to a crash

Question 2

There is evidence to suggest that a legitimate authority can make us carry out negative behaviours. Why is this a strength (Evidence)

Answer 2

This theory supports the impact on a legitimate authority figure as an explanation for obedience. Suggests that educating people the impact of an authority figure can have positive consequences for reducing the negative effects

Question 3

The agentic state might not be the only explanation for why people carry out atrocious behaviours. (evidence)

Answer 3

The doctors working in Auschwitz slowly and gradually changed from caring professionals to people able to carry out lethal experiments on helpless prisoners.

Question 4

The agentic state might not be the only explanation for why people carry out atrocious behaviours. (explain)

Answer 4

That unlike the instantaneous shift from the autonomous state to the agentic that it may be a gradual process. Effects howe people think and act

Question 5

The agentic state may be extenuated when people feel they have little sense of control over their actions. Therefore, the explanation may be more complex that it first suggests. (evidence)

Answer 5

Fennis found that people who felt there was little control over their actions were more likely to obey authority figures and show bystander apathy

Question 5

The agentic state may be extenuated when people feel they have little sense of control over their actions. Therefore, the explanation may be more complex that it first suggests. (explain)

Answer 5

Suggests the agentic state is not limited to obedience but can also affect whether people choose to help in a situation of need without an authority figure present.

Question 6

One strength of the legitimacy of authority explanation is that there is research to support it has an impact on obedience. (evidence)

Answer 6

Bickman found that participants were more likely to obey a legitimate authority figure wearing a security guard uniform than someone wearing civilian clothes

Question 7

One strength of the legitimacy of authority explanation is that there is research to support it has an impact on obedience. (explain)

Answer 7

Suggests that situational factors such as what people wear help to indicate their status and whether or not they’re a legitimate authority figure.