explanations for obedience Flashcards
Define obedience.
A form of social influence in which an individual follows a direct order from a person of authority, who has the power to punish when obedient behaviour is not forthcoming.
Define agency theory.
Sees people as socialised to obey authority to keep stability in society, where individuals act as agents for those in higher ranks of hierarchal social systems.
For example, Adolf Eichmann, responsible for the death of millions by Nazi terminations, said he was ‘just following orders’ - he saw himself as an agent of authority.
What is the agentic state?
Where an individual obeys an authority figure who is seen as responsible for the consequences. Individuals thus become individualised and obey orders that go against their moral code. They experience high anxiety when they know what they are doing is wrong but feel powerless to disobey.
(e.g. ptps in Milgram’s study asked if they would be held responsible for the harm done).
What is the autonomous state?
Opposite of the agentic state. Free to behave according to their own principles and feel a sense of responsibility for their own actions.
Describe what is meant by the agentic shift.
The shift from autonomy to ‘agency’. Milgram suggested that this occurs when a person perceives someone else as an authority figure. The authority figure has a greater power because they have a higher position in the social hierarchy. In most social groups, when one person is in charge others defer to the legitimate authority of this person and shift from autonomy to agency.
Give a strength of agency theory.
Milgram’s own studies support the role of the agentic state in obedience. Most of Milgram’s ptps resisted giving the shocks at some point, and often asked the experimenter questions about the procedure. one of these was ‘who is responsible if the learner is harmed?’. When the experimenter replied ‘I’m responsible, the ptps often went through the procedure quickly with no further objections. Shows that once ptps perceived they were no longer responsible for their own actions, they acted more easily as the experimenters agent, as Milgram suggested.
Give a limitation of agency theory.
agentic shift doesn’t explain many research findings about obedience. E.g. Rank and Jacobson’s (1977) study. Found 16 out of 18 hospital nurses disobeyed orders from a doctor to administer an excessive drug dose to a patient. The doctor was an obvious authority figure. But almost all nurses remained autonomous, as did many of Milgram’s ptps. suggests agentic shift can only explain some situations of obedience.
What is legitimacy of authority?
The degree to which individuals are seen as justified in having power over others. Individuals are socialised to accept the power and status of authority figures in order for society to run smoothly. E.g. officers in the army are seen as having legitimate authors to issue orders - they were insignia to show their legitimate authority. Emphasis on ‘doing your duty’.
Give research support for legitimacy of authority (Milgram).
Milgram (1963) noted how some ptps ignored the learners distress themselves and concentrated on pressing the switches properly - i.e.. they did their duty.
What is a consequence of legitimacy of authority?
Some people are granted the power to punish others. We generally agree that police and courts have the power to punish wrongdoers.
Give a strength of legitimacy of authority.
It is a useful account for cultural differences in obedience. Many studies show that countries differ in the degree to which people are obedient to authority. E.g. Kilham and Mann (1974) found that only 16% of Australian women went all the way to 450V in a Milgram-style study. However, Mantell (1971) found 85% for German ptps. Shows that, in some cultures, authority is more likely to be accepted as legitimate and entitled to demand obedience from individuals. Reflects the way different societies perceive authority figures.
Give a limitation of legitimacy of authority.
Cannot explain instances of disobedience in a hierarchy where the legitimacy of authority is clear and accepted. Rank and Jacobson (1977) - hospital nurses disobeyed orders from a doctor to administer an excessive drug dose to a patient despite working in a rigidly hierarchal social structure. Suggests people may just be more or less obedient than others. Possible that innate tendencies to obey or disobey have greater influence on obedience than legitimacy of authority figures.
