Obedience - Social Psychological Factors

Question 1

Agentic State

Answer 1

A mental state where we feel no personal responsibility for our behaviour because we believe ourselves to be acting for an authority figure. This frees us from the demands of our consciences and allows us to obey even a destructive authority figure.

Question 2

Legitimacy of Authority

Answer 2

An explanation for obedience which suggests that we are more likely to obey people who we perceive to have authority over us. This authority is justified by the individual’s position of power within a social hierarchy.

Question 3

Autonomous State

Answer 3

Free to behave in accordance to their own principles and therefore feels a sense of responsibility for their own actions.

Question 4

Agentic Shift

Answer 4

The shift from autonomy (independence) to ‘agency’

Question 5

Self Image

Answer 5

Once you move in to the agentic state you stop worrying about your own image as it is no longer as relevant. They see the action as no longer being their responsibility or reflections of their own self-image. Links to Mai Lai massacre