Milgram's agency theory (pack 1 obedience)

Question 1

what is the autonomous state?

Answer 1

person believes they have power, they freely choose their own behaviour and are guided by their moral code

Question 2

what is agency theory?

Answer 2

suggests that people’s tendency to obey has a useful function, it helps keep society running smoothly, because people abide by rules instead of acting independently

Question 3

what is the agentic state?

Answer 3

allows someone else to direct their behaviour, they assume that person is responsible for their actions.

Question 4

How does Milgram suggest that the agentic state can be explained through?

Answer 4

evolution
it is a survival strategy that by listening to the leader you will stay alive as if people act autonomously they would run away but in agentic they will fight as a group

Question 5

where does Milgram also suggest acting agentically is learned?

Answer 5

parents and in schools.
The legal system enforces this

Question 6

what is moral strain?

Answer 6

feel that their obedient behaviour goes against their own moral values

Question 7

how could someone reduce their moral strain?

Answer 7

displacing responsibility onto an authority figure (shifting into agentic state)
OR
dissenting: choosing not to obey

Question 8

how does the issue of Nature v Nurture apply to agency theory?

Answer 8

Milgram trying to establish that obedience was not a dispositional trait (nature), as historian suggested at the time but as a consequence of the environment they’re in
HOLOCAUST

Question 9

3 weaknesses of Milgram’s agency theory

Answer 9

1. theory lacks direct evidence, Agency is internal therefore cannot be directly observable so LOW in VALIDITY
2. Lacked mundane realism- shocking someone not part of every day life
3. The theory does not explain individual differences, why some do and some don’t it ignores things such as personality type

Question 10

3 strengths of agency theory?

Answer 10

1. 1. the theory is supported by other research (HOFLING) demonstrated that nurses would give the patient twice the daily dose when directed by doctor
2. Milgram’s studies use standardised procedures so it can be replicated thus we can replicate and change variables to see cause and effect
3. Agency theory explains real life events such as obedience to authority shown by US soldiers during Vietnam war (just following orders)

Question 11

what is an alternative theory to agency theory?

Answer 11

does not explain motivational issues behind obedience

FRENCH AND RAVEN
five basis of power that are said to motivate and influence behaviour
Legitimate, reward, referent, expert and coercive
ALSO SIT