Social Influence: Explanations for Obedience - Legitimacy of authority & Agentic state Flashcards
Why is the authority that authority figures have legitimate?
In the sense that is agreed by society
Give an example of an authority figure
parent, teacher, police officers
What is ingrained in us from an early age?
To obey authority figures
How does legitimacy of authority affect obedience?
Obedience increases
What happens to obedience when a person perceives that an authority figure has legitimate authority?
Obedience increases
According to the LOA explanation of obedience - when are we more likely to obey?
When a person perceives that an authority figure has legitimate authority
What do we accept about an authority figure that makes them legitimate?
Their credentials
What do we believe about an authority figure that makes them legitimate?
They know what they are doing
Why do we obey authority figures from a young age?
It is ingrained in us - even when we believe the order may be unethical or unjust
What is meant by the agentic state?
A state where an individual believes they are acting on behalf of an authority figure
What do we call the state in which we believe we are responsible for our own actions?
Autonomous state
What is meant by an autonomous state?
A state where we take personal responsibility for our actions
What do we call the process of moving from an autonomous state to an agentic state?
Agentic shift
What is the agentic shift?
The process of moving from an autonomous state to an agentic state
When does the agentic shift occur?
When someone receives an order from an authority figure
When in the agentic state, what does an individual lose and how do they feel?
Sense of personal responsibility and no longer feel guilty
Why do people no longer feel guilty when they are in the agentic state?
They see themselves as carrying out the wishes of a more knowledgeable authority figure
We are more likely to obey if the authority figure is perceived as… ?
Legitimate
According to the AS explanation of obedience - when are we more likely to obey?
When a person is in an agentic state
What happens to obedience when a person is in an agentic state?
Obedience increases
According to the AS explanation of obedience, what happens when someone receives an order from an authority figure?
Agentic shift occurs
What do we call the state where an individual believes they are acting on behalf of an authority figure?
Agentic state
Milgram’s studies can be used as research to support which explanation of obedience?
Agentic state
How do Milgram’s obedience studies support agentic state as an explanation of obedience?
Once participants no longer believed they were responsible, due to the experimenter taking responsibility, they were more obedient as an agentic shift had occurred.