Milgram (1963): Agency Theory of Obedience:

Question 1

What is the definition of obedience?

Answer 1

When an individual is expected to follow orders set by an authority figure, handing over free will.

Question 2

What is the definition of dissent?

Answer 2

When a person doesn’t follow orders set by an authority figure.

Question 3

What does agency theory suggest?

Answer 3

Milgram suggested that we need to obey to remain in a stable society. Born with the need to obey.

Question 4

What is the Autonomous State?

Answer 4

Free to take responsibility for our actions. Accept the consequences.

Question 5

What is the Agentic Shift?

Answer 5

When we move between thinking autonomously and obeying.

Question 6

What is the Agentic State?

Answer 6

State of feeling controlled, giving up individual responsibility.

Question 7

What is Moral Strain?

Answer 7

Intense discomfort + stressed by internal conflict. Need to follow orders even if it is wrong.

Question 8

Supporting Evidence: Milgram:

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

Supporting Evidence: Hofling:

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

Critical Evidence: Sedikides + Jackson:

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

Critical Evidence: Adorno et al:

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

Conclusion for Agency Theory:

Answer 12

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.