social influence: LEGITIMACY OF AUTHORITY

Question 1

What is the structure of most societies?

Answer 1

Hierarchical > where individuals are organized in levels of authority

individuals typically obey those who are above them in the hierarchy

Question 2

What makes authority legitimate in society?

Answer 2

Agreement by society > it is legit when it is recognised and accepted by society

Question 3

How can the legitimacy of authority be increased?

Answer 3

Visible symbols of authority, e.g., uniform

Question 4

Why do we accept that authority figures can exercise social power?

Answer 4

To allow society to function smoothly

Question 5

What is one consequence of the legitimacy of authority?

Answer 5

Granting power to punish others

Question 6

Who do we trust to exercise authority appropriately?

Answer 6

Police and courts

Question 7

From where do we learn acceptance of legitimate authority?

Answer 7

Childhood > Acceptance of authority is typically ingrained during early developmental stages.

Question 8

AO3: cultural differnces

Answer 8

A strength of the legitimacy of authority explanation is that it is a useful account of cultural differences in obedience. Many studies show that countries differ in peoples obedience to authority. For example, Kilham and Mann replicated Milgram’s study in Australia and found that only 16% of their participants went to
450V, compared to, Mantell who found 85% of German participants went to 450V.

STRENGTH as this shows that some cultures authority is more likely to be accepted as legitimate and entitled to demand obedience from individuals. This reflects the way that different societies are structured and how children are raised to perceive authority figures

Question 9

AO3: real life application

Answer 9

**it has real world application
It can help explain how obedience can lead to real-life war crime. Kelman and Hamilton argue that the My Lai massacre can be understood in terms of the power hierarchy of the US army. It can be suggested that the American soldiers obeyed lieutenant Calley’s orders because he was perceived as being of higher status and at the top of the American army.

STRENGTH as we can educate people on legitimacy of authority and prevent events such as the My Lai massacre from happening again.