Explanations Of Obedience

Question 1

Strength: RTS AGENTIC STATE

Answer 1

shown in milgrams obedience studies, most ppts resisted giving shocks at some point, often asked experimenter “who is responsible if learner is harmed”, when responded “I am responsible” ppts continued to obey, supports agentic state as continued when believed they were not responsible

Question 2

Strength: RTS HOFLING

Answer 2

Study on nurses in a hospital ward, ordered by unknown doctor over phone to administer lethal doses of medication, 21/22 nurses agreed, not supposed to take orders over the phone, supports LOA, doctor had more authority, nurses felt doctor was responsible

Question 3

Weakness: RTC MANDEL

Answer 3

contradicts agentic state, nazi soldiers, men asked to shoot civilians in small town in Poland, told they could have other duties but refused, can’t place blame on authority figure

Question 4

Weakness: alternative explanation

Answer 4

Dispositional factors, authoritarian personality, obedience is due to internal factors such as personality, extreme respect for authority, weakens explanations of obedience as not sole explanations