Obedience: Situational explanations

Question 1

What is the meaning of being in an Agentic State?

Answer 1

a mental stae where we feel no personl responsibility for our behaviour because we believe ourselves to be acting for an authority figure;

Question 2

When would people in an Agentic state feel high anxiety?

Answer 2

when they realise that what they are doing is wrong by feel powerless to disobey;

Question 3

Evaluation of Agentic state

Answer 3

+ Milgram’s own studies support this- ps often asked experimenter Who is responsible for this

• doesnt explain many research findings about obedience
  Rank & Jacobson found 16/18 nurses disobeyed orders from doctor to administer excessive drug dose;

Question 4

What meaning of being in an Autonomous state?

Answer 4

Being aware of the consequences of one’s own actions and therefore taking voluntary control of one’s own actions and behaviour;

Question 5

What are binding factors?

Answer 5

Aspects of the situation that allow the person to ignore or minimise the damaging effect of their behaviour and thus reduce ‘moral strain’;

Question 6

What are some examples of binding factors that Milgram suggested

Answer 6

shifting the responsibility on to the victim

denying the damage they were doing to the victim;

Question 7

What is legitimacy of authority suggesting?

Answer 7

We are more likely to obey people who we perceive to have authority over us;

Question 8

What is destructive authority?

Answer 8

when the behaviour of those in charge becomes destructive;

Question 9

Suggest examples pf authority figures that have demonstrated destructive authority

Answer 9

Hitler, Stalin;