Lesson 7 - Situational explanations obedience Flashcards
What is the agentic state ?
Milgram argued that people who follow orders go from an autonomous state into an agentic state. Transition is called agentic shift. When in agentic state, people see themselves as an instrument of the authority and believe the authority is guilty for their actions.
What is an advantage of the agentic state?
In milligrams study, PPs were less likely to shock Mr Wallace when in the same room as him. Being close to him and being able to see his pain prevented a shift into the agentic state (no buffer)
What is a disadvantage of the agentic state?
Major Trapp ordered to shoot a large group of jews during WWII. Members of battalion had option to say no but few did. This occurred despite being in close proximity to the victims
What is the Legitimate authority?
Claims that we recognise ours and others positions in the social hierarchy and that we obey those above us. Those equal or lower will not be obeyed. Is increased by a visible symbol of authority.
What is a strength of the legitimate state?
Hofling conducted a study where nurses would receive a call from someone pretending to be a doctor. The ‘doctor’ would then ask them to administer 20 milligrams of ‘Astroten’ to a patient. This broke hospital rules, but 95% of the nurses still administered it, because of a doctors legitimate authority.
What is a weakness of the legitimate state?
Legitimate authority doesn’t account for those disobey authority. In milgrams study, 35% refused to obey, even though he had legitimate power in this situation
What is a buffer?
Person being psychologically protected from their actions
