Milgram (1963): Agency Theory of Obedience: Flashcards
What is the definition of obedience?
When an individual is expected to follow orders set by an authority figure, handing over free will.
What is the definition of dissent?
When a person doesn’t follow orders set by an authority figure.
What does agency theory suggest?
Milgram suggested that we need to obey to remain in a stable society. Born with the need to obey.
What is the Autonomous State?
Free to take responsibility for our actions. Accept the consequences.
What is the Agentic Shift?
When we move between thinking autonomously and obeying.
What is the Agentic State?
State of feeling controlled, giving up individual responsibility.
What is Moral Strain?
Intense discomfort + stressed by internal conflict. Need to follow orders even if it is wrong.
Supporting Evidence: Milgram:
I: Found that participants demonstrated moral strain as many trembled, stuttered and groaned when following the order to give an electric shock.
J: This shows that people can experience physical reactions to orders they think are morally wrong but carry them out due to being ordered to be an authority figure.
Supporting Evidence: Hofling:
I: Found that 95% of nurses gave a dose of a drug that exceeded the max allowed when ordered by a doctor over the phone.
J: This shows that people will follow an authority figure and obey orders going into the agentic state.
Critical Evidence: Sedikides + Jackson:
I: Found that 60% of visitors complied when in groups of one or two but only 14% in groups of five or six.
J: This shows that obedience may be influenced when the number of targets is greater than the number of sources and not just authority figures.
Critical Evidence: Adorno et al:
I: Found that those with an authoritarian personality were more likely to obey those with a higher status.
J: This suggests that agency theory is limited as it doesn’t account for the impact of personality.
Conclusion for Agency Theory:
Useful: It can explain historical events such as WW2 and how to prevent them in the future.
Not Useful: However it doesn’t account for individual differences such as personality so it’s reductionist making it less reliable.