Obedience: Social-psychological Factors

Question 1

Define 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 authoritative figure

Question 2

What is the opposite to an agent of state

Answer 2

Autonomous state

Question 3

What is the shift from autonomy to agency called?

Answer 3

Agentic shift

Question 4

Why would and agentic shift happen?

Answer 4

Higher position is social hierarchy

Question 5

What are binding factors?

Answer 5

Aspects of a situation that allow the person to ignore or minimise the moral strain of their behaviours

Question 6

Define legitimacy of authority

Answer 6

Explanation for obedience suggesting more likely to obey those who have social authority over someone

Question 7

What is destructive authority

Answer 7

Clearly shown in milgram when verbal prods make participants behaviour against their morals

Question 8

Research support for agentic state

Answer 8

Bless and Schmitt (2001)

1. Showed film of milgrams study to students and asked who was to blame
2. Experimenter blamed because ‘held legitimate authority’ over participant
3. Recognised legitimate authority as cause of obedience supporting explanation

Question 9

Limited application of legitimate authority

Answer 9

Doesn’t explain why some people did not go to 450v