Legitimacy Of Authority

Question 1

What is legitimacy of authority?

Answer 1

An explanation for obedience that says:

People more likely to obey those they lercieve as having authority

Justified via social hierarchy e.g. parent, teacher, police officer

We are told to recognise value of obedience + social hierarchy fron a young age as it causes stability in society (if authority good)

Question 2

What happens if a authority figure is seen as legitimate?

Answer 2

They are given the power to punish those who disobey

Peole willingly give up some control of their behavior to those they trust to excersice authority appropriately (agentic shift)

Question 3

What id destructive legitimacy of authority?

Answer 3

When authority orders people to behave in ways that are callous, cruel or stupid

E.g. Hitler

It is seen in Milgrams study as experimenter prods PPTS to behave against their conscious

Question 4

Legitimacy of authority WEAKNESS

Nurses…

Answer 4

Dosent explain obedience in a hierarchy

Rank + Jacobsens nurses not all obey same Dr

Other factors e.g. personality may explain

Less valid

Question 5

Legitimacy of authority STRENGTH

Research to support

Answer 5

Research to support

Blass + Schmidtt

Student say authority figure responsible