theories of obedience - agency theory and social impact theory

Question 1

what is agency theory?

Answer 1

proposed by milgram, explains obedience as a pyschology process where individuals obey authority by shifting responsibility for their actions onto the authority figure

Question 2

what are the two states in agency theory?

Answer 2

• autonomous state
• agentic state

Question 3

what is the autonomous state?

Answer 3

the individual acts according to their own principles

they take full responsibility for their actions

Question 4

what is the agentic state?

Answer 4

the individual sees themselves as an agent carrying out orders

responsibility is shifted to the authority figure

Question 5

what is the agentic shift?

Answer 5

process of transitioning from the autonomous state to the agentic state when confronted with an authority figure

Question 6

what is moral strain in agency theory?

Answer 6

moral strain occurs when an individual feels psychological discomfort because they are obeying orders that conflict with their personal morals or values

Question 7

what evidence supports agency theory?

Answer 7

milgrams (1963) study

• 65% of participants administered the maximum shock when instructed by an authority figure
• particpants reported moral strain but continued due to the perceived legitimacy of the authority

Question 8

what are three strengths of the agency theory?

Answer 8

• supported by milgrams obedience studies
• provides insight into real world atrocities like the holocaust
• can be used to prevent blind obedience in hierarchal structures

Question 9

what are three weaknesses of agency theory?

Answer 9

• oversimplifies obedience by ignoring individual differences
• alternative explanations eg.social impact theory/ social identity theory may better explain obedience
• ethical issues in supporting studies eg. milgrams study involved deception and potential harm

Question 10

what are the ethical concerns related to agency theory?

Answer 10

• studies supporting the theory (milgram) caused distress to particpants
• the concept may excuse individuals from taking responsibility for harmful actions, potentially justifying unethical behaviour

Question 11

what real world events can the agency theory explain?

Answer 11

• the holocaust
• my lai massacre

Question 12

how does agency theory relate to hierarchy?

Answer 12

• authority figures in a hierarchy encourage the agentic shift
• higher ranking individuals are seen as legitimate leading to increased obedience

Question 13

how does moral strain affect behaviour in the agentic state?

Answer 13

moral strain causes discomfort but individuals often obey due to fear of punishment. this helps maintain the agentic state despite internal conflict