Situational Explanations

Question 1

Agentic state

Answer 1

A mental state where we feel no personal responsibility for air behaviour because we believe we are 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 individuals positions of power within a social hierarchy

Question 3

Autonomous state

Answer 3

Free to behave by their own principles and feels responsible for their own actions

Question 4

Agentic shift

Answer 4

• the shift from autonomy to agency
• milgram suggested that this occurs when a person perceives someone else as an authority figure
• they have power because they have a higher position in social hierarchy

Question 5

Binding factors

Answer 5

Aspects of a situation that allows someone to ignore or minimise the effect of their behaviour, feuding the moral strain they feel