obediance Flashcards
what is obedience
a form of social pressure where one person orders others about
how much power does the person issuing commands usually have?
they are usually an authority figure who has some means of enforcing submission through power
what can authority derive from
- societal status
- social traditions
- charisma
difference between conformity and obedience
in conformity the social norms of the majority exert influence on an individual to go along with group behaviour whereas in obedience social influence takes the form of orders from an authority figure
which factors affect obedience (5)
Perceived legitimate authority
Autonomous + agentic levels of behaviour
Socialisation
Authoritarian parenting
Situational factors: proximity, location, wearing a uniform
Perceived legitimate authority explanation
If we think someone has the right to tell us what to do then we generally will obey. This is partially because we feel obligated to those in power because we respect their credentials and assume they know what they’re doing. Legitimate social power is held by authors figures whose role is defined by society which gives them the right to exert control over the behaviour of others.
Perceived legitimate authority evaluation
Beneficial because respect for authority permits orderly social interaction. However, there is the danger of it becoming so deeply engrained in us that we do not question obeying unethical or immoral orders.
Perceived legitimate authority supporting evidence
Zimbardo (1974)- some participants were prisoners and some were guards, both adopted uniform
Milgram (1963)- experimenter was wearing white lab coat
Autonomous + agentic levels of behaviour explanation
Autonomous individuals behave voluntarily and are aware of the consequences of their actions.
Agentic individuals see themselves as the agents of others and not responsible for their actions.
How does the agentic shift affect people
People go from an autonomous state to an agentic state when they perceive the experimenter as an authority figure who knows what they’re doing
What is the consequence of the agentic shift
Individuals attribute responsibility for their actions to the person in authority
Agentic shift evidence
Milgram (1963)- participants expressed concern that they would be help responsible for any harm done to learner, but after experimenter confirming they would take full responsibility they had no issue with inflicting harm.
Socialisation explanation
Process beginning at birth which teaches us the ‘rules of life’ through our parents, education, social class and peers.
Socialisation example
If our parents are authoritative this may lead us to internalise the need to obey, binding factors keep us in an agentic state and we fear disruption to our social situation so may not question authority.
Authoritarian parenting explanation
People who were more facist were more likely to be brought up by strict parents. Children whose parents were more authoritarian were less likely to obey someone outwith their social group but more likely to obey someone within their group.
