agency theory - obedience Flashcards
(36 cards)
what is the definition of obedience?
a form of social influence that involves performing an action under the order of an authority figure
what is the definition of obedience?
a form of social influence that involves performing an action under the order of an authority figure
what is compliance?
changing your behaviour at the request of another person
what is conformity?
altering your behaviour to go along with another group
what two states does agency theory have?
autonomous
agentic
what is the autonomous state?
people direct their own actions and take responsibility, have control and power
what is the agent state?
people allow others to direct their actions on the assumption that they will take responsibility and consequences
what does the theory believe about the social system?
that it is hierarchical and it is adapted as a survival mechanism
why is the social system hierarchical and a survival system
it gives a stabilising and peaceful life within social organisation
why do people act agnatically?
du to lack of obedience towards people in society such as teachers
what is the theories assumption?
that obedience is innate
we are all born obedient
what is the term moral strain?
this occurs when people act against their moral code
why might someones act against their moral code?
they feel powerless
what do people do in order to avoid moral strain?
use denial mechanisms such as passing on responsibility
what two things must be present before entering the agent state?
- authority figures must be seen as qualified to direct others behaviours and legitimate
- must believe that person doing the orders will take responsibility
why is the theory useful?
it helps to explain real life events such as the holocaust
therefore can create ways of avoiding these
why is the theory reductionist?
does not take into account things that affect obedience such as situation and personality
simply divides people into two groups
why does it have negative social implications?
it suggests that people in power have the ability to manipulate other people
that agents people are capable of doing anything when told
why is the theory more descriptive?
it does not explain how people enter into these two states or
what is compliance?
changing your behaviour at the request of another person
what is conformity?
altering your behaviour to go along with another group
what two states does agency theory have?
autonomous
agentic
what is the autonomous state?
people direct their own actions and take responsibility, have control and power
what is the agent state?
people allow others to direct their actions on the assumption that they will take responsibility and consequences
