Explanations for obedience - agentic state and legitimacy of authority

Question 1

What is the agentic state?

Answer 1

when people follow an authority figure’s wishes

Question 2

What is the autonomous state?

Answer 2

when an individual acts according to their own wishes

Question 3

What happens to an individual in an agentic state?

Answer 3

they may loose their individuality, go again’st their own moral code and become de-individuated

Question 4

Legitimacy of authority?

Answer 4

obedient individuals accept the power and status of authority figures

Question 5

Agentic state - what did Milgram 1963 report?

Answer 5

Participants were under moral strain but continued to obey - suggest they were in an agentic state

Question 6

Agentic state - what did Milgram 1974 report?

Answer 6

When confederate wasn’t in same room as teacher, but gave orders via telephone, obedience declined from 62.5% to 20.5% - suggest participants in autonomous state

Question 7

Legitimacy of authority - what did Milgram 1963 report?

Answer 7

Some participants ignored learners distress but instead followed the procedure, recognising legitimate authority of researcher