Social influence: Obedience Flashcards
What did Adolf eichmann do
- 1961 war crimes
- in charge of Nazi death camps
- “only obeying orders”
What does obedience say about destructive authority based on Milgram’s study?
- Participants believe they are acting for someone else
- The person does not take responsibility
What is autonomous state?
- Free to behave according to their own principles
- Being independent/free
What is agentic shift according to Milgram?
- Occurs when a person perceives someone else as an authority figure
- This authority figure have greater power and have a higher position in the social hierarchy
What are binding factors according to Milgram?
- Participants wanted to stop but seemed powerless to do so
- They are the factors that are aspects of the situation that allow the person to ignore or minimize the damaging effect of their behaviour.
What is legitimacy of authority?
People in positions hold authority over those below them.
It is said that authority is agreed by society and
allows society to function smoothly.
What is destructive authority? (legitimacy of authority)
When legitimate authority become destructive. It is ordering people to behave in cruel and dangerous ways.
How did destructive authority occur in Milgram’s study?
The experimenter used procedure to order participants to behave against their consciences.
What did Adorno do? (dispositional explanation)
- tried to understand anti-semitism after WW2
- different ideas compared to Milgram
- obedience as a psychological disorder (because of the personality of the individual)
What is authoritarian personality?
- shows an extreme respect for authority
- view society as ‘weaker’ than it once was
What is this an example of?
- Show contempt for those of inferior status
- Inflexible outlook on the word
Authoritarian personality
Origins of the authoritarian personality
Forms from harsh parenting - strict parents and high criticism
Experiences in childhood - resentment and hostility
