agency theory

Question 1

What is agency theory?

Answer 1

Proposed by milgram 1973, explains obedience as a shift in mental state. People obey authority figures because they enter an agentic state, acting on behalf of someone else so not personally responsible

Question 2

What are the two state in agency theory?

Answer 2

Autonomous and agentic

Question 3

What is the autonomous state?

Answer 3

Individuals act independently , based on personal morals and take responsibility for their actions

Question 4

What is the agentic state?

Answer 4

Individuals see themselves as an agent of an authority figure, so follow orders even if it conflicts with personal morals as they dont feel responsible

Question 5

What is agentic shift?

Answer 5

The psychological process of moving from the autonomous state to agentic state when confronted with a perceived legitimate authority figure

Question 6

What is moral strain?

Answer 6

Happens when someone obeys orders that go against their moral values causing psychological harm (eg. Stress, guilt, discomfort) - they may still obey due to agentic state

Question 7

What causes someone to enter the agentic state?

Answer 7

• perception of legitimate authority
• binding factors (eg. ‘I was just folllowing orders”

Question 8

What are binding factors? - with examples

Answer 8

Reasons a person continues to obey even when uncomfortable , they help people avoid taking responsibility

Eg.
- shifting blame to authority figure
- believing their actions are for the greater good
- minimising the consequence “its not that bad’