Social Psychological Factors Flashcards
What did Milgram propose?
That obedience to destructive authority occurs when we act on behalf of another person (agentic state).
What is an agentic state?
When individual feels no personal responsibility for their actions
What is the agentic shift?
Shift from autonomy (independence) to being an agent. Covers when we perceive someone as a powerful authoritative figure.
What are binding factors?
Factors that allow person to ignore their damaging effect. Includes shifting responsibility to victim and denying damage
LEGITIMACY OF AUTHORITY: who do we obey?
People at the top of a social hierarchy
LEGITIMACY OF AUTHORITY: why is their authority legitimate?
Because it is agreed by society
LEGITIMACY OF AUTHORITY: why are they able to control our behaviour?
Due to trust and upbringing. We are taught to accept authority from parents / teachers.
LEGITIMACY OF AUTHORITY: destructive purposes
Some leaders use their power by ordering people to behave in cruel ways. Hitler. I
STRENGTH: experimenter blame
Bless and Schmidt showed students milgrams study. They blamed the experimenter for the learners harm due to his authority
LIMITATION: cannot account for nazi behaviour
Manual 1998 referred to the shooting of polish civilians by German police. Police weren’t Powerless to disobey as they were told they could be assigned to other roles.
STRENGTH: useful cross cultural research
Found 16% of Australians went to 450 volts and 85% of Germans.
Shows how different societies teach to be more or less accepting of authority.
Increases validity
STRENGTH: explains real life obedience
Kelman and Hamilton said the Vietnam massacre can be explained by the US army hierarchy.
Soldiers assume orders given by someone above them are legal.
