Why do people obey?

Question 1

Name 4 possible explanations into why people obey authority figures?

Answer 1

• Milgram’s Agency Theory
• Legitimate Authority
• Social Impact Theory
• Personal Responsibility

Question 2

Individual social consciousness can operate in two ways - what are they?

Answer 2

• The autonomous state ( individuals assume responsibility for their own actions)
• The agentic state (individuals feel that they have diminished responsibility because they are “agents” of others

Question 3

When are people more likely to obey an authority figure?

Answer 3

• When they are considered to be creditable and legitimate

Question 4

Provide support for the Legitimate Authority theory..

Answer 4

• Obedience levels reduced in Milgram’s study when he conducted it in a run-down setting or when someone other than the experimenter that gave the orders

Question 5

What are the 3 factors which are important to remember when evaluating SIT (Social Impact Theory)?

Answer 5

• Immediacy
• Strength
• Number

Question 6

When are people more likely to obey?

Answer 6

• When they can relinquish personal responsibility for the consequences of their actions

Question 7

Provide support for the Personal Responsibility Theory..

Answer 7

• Hamilton (1978) - suggested that obedience levels drop dramatically when participants are told clearly that they are responsible for their own actions, not the person giving the orders.