L7: Situational Explainations Of Obedience Flashcards
What is a situational explanation?
Milgram argued people can follow horrific orders because of the situation they are in.
What is agentic shift?
People following order go from an autonomous (freewill) into an agentic state.
What do people do in an agentic state?
People unthinkably carry out orders and see themselves as mere instruments of an authority figure. They believe the authority figure is responsible for their actions (diffusion of responsibility) so they do not follow their own conscience or feel guilt for their actions.
Why does agentic state occur?
Because those in authority areusually trustworthy, orders seem reasonable before becoming more aggressive (gradual commitment) and people are protected from their consequences (buffers)
Explanation of why people might adopt an agentic state
To maintain a positive self- image. They are not responsible for their actions. If they are Ina agents state, they will stay in it because they are concerned that breaking their commitment to the authority figure would be rude.
What did mil-gram think of agentic state?
It developed during humon evolution and is necessary for society and hierarchies to function, preventing chaos.
Evaluation of agentic state - positive
Participants were less likely to shock Mr Wallace when they were inter sameroom as him and could see the consequences of their actions there was no buffer. Being in close proximity with Mr. Wallace prevented some participants from going into an agent state.
Mandel (1998) - Major Trapp - evaluation (negative)
Manuel challenged that without buffers people should not go into agentic state and obey an order to harm someone. Major trapp was told to take a large group of Jews to re corner of the village and shoot them The soldiers were given the chance to say no but few did, and he massacre went ahead, despite being in close proximity to the victims.
What is legitimate authority?
It claims that people are more likely to obey an order given by someone who has legitimate authority. This means they are perceived to have a position of social control within a certain context or setting . there is a shared expectation that situations have a socially controlling figure.
Where does legitimate authority stem from?
Not from personal characteristics, but from their perceived status.it can be shown through symbols of power, such as uniform.
What do people allow people with legitimate authority to do?
Accept the definitions of a situation that are provided
by a legitimate authority figure. They allow the authority figures to define the meanings of their actions.
What does legitimate authority sometime require?
An institution/ location especially if the commands are particularly harmful or destructive.
Evaluation of legitimate authority - Positive (Hofling 1966)
Nurses would obey a dangerous order from a doctor over the telephone asking to administer a drug at 20mg which broke hospital rules as the bottle only allows 10mg. In reality it was a sugar pill but 95% of nurses carries this out, proving the doctors legitimate authority.
Evaluation - bickman 1974, positive
Passerby test: 50% civilian, 90% guard , a guard uniform person is more likely to be perceived as a legitimate authority figure.
Evaluation of legitimate authority - negative
Legitimate authority does not explain why some people are able to resist the order of legitimate authority figures, for example 35% of people in milgrams study refused to obey the experimenter despite him having legitimate authority.
