Obedience - Psychological Factors

Question 1

What is the agentic state

Answer 1

A mental state where we feel no personal responsibility for our behaviour because we believe ourselves to be acting for an authority figure, as their agent.

This removes consciences and allows us to obey

Question 2

What is autonomous state

Answer 2

This is the opposite of agentic state.

Meaning that the individual is independent and free, lives by their own principles and is responsible for their actions.

Shift from autonomy to agency is ‘agentic shift’

Question 3

What are binding factors

Answer 3

Aspects of the situation that reduce moral strain. Shifting responsibility to become autonomous or an agent.

Question 4

What is legitimacy of authority

Answer 4

An explanation for obedience which suggests that we are more likely to obey people who we perceive to have authority over us.

Question 5

What is destructive authority

Answer 5

Problems arise when legitimate authority becomes destructive.

• hitler,
• Satlin

Use legitimate powers for destructive purposes

Question 6

Agentic state evaluation- research support

Answer 6

Bless and Schmitt (2001)

Showed a film of milgrams study and asked to identity who was to blame.
Mr Wallace was identified

Suggested that legitimacy of authority is the reason for obedience

Question 7

Agentic state evaluation- a limited explanation

Answer 7

The agentic shift doesn’t explain why some of milgrams participants didn’t obey.

Can only account for some situations of obedience

Question 8

Legitimacy of authority evaluation- cultural differences

Answer 8

Kilham and Mann (1974) replicates jn Australia
Only 16% delivered max volts.

German Mantell found that 85% deliver max.

Shows difference in obedience actors diff cultures.
But also that it can have a huge affect on obedience, supporting the application