Explntions Of Obediance

Question 1

Agentic theory

Answer 1

Propound ppl can operate in 2 different social states

Question 2

2 types of social state

Answer 2

Autonomous individual

Agenic state

Question 3

Define autonomous individuals

Answer 3

Choose their actions and aware of consequences

Question 4

Agenic shift

Answer 4

Seeing themselves as agents of others and not responsible for their actions

Question 5

Why do people shift from state to state

Answer 5

Allows an individual to mindlessly accept authority

Question 6

Why may some stay in agentic state

Answer 6

To deal with moral strain/ anxiety of being there more code

Question 7

Wh might someone follow authority even when it breaks our moral code

Answer 7

They don’t want to disrespect authority as respect for authority is something we learn from an early age in most societies

Question 8

Evaluation of agentic theory - strength

Answer 8

Milgrams experiment

• ppt asked if he were responsible if the learner dies the researcher told them they weren’t so ppt continued to ‘kill’ the learner
• shows ppt shifting into agentic state

Question 9

Evaluation of agentic theory - weakness

Answer 9

Agentic theory fails to explain the gradual and irreversible conversion that takes place
- Liften: I observed nazi doctors working in Auschuitz came to believe that the medical experiment that they were carrying on prisoners out were justified

Question 10

Define legitimacy of authority

Answer 10

We are socialised to recognise the value of obedience to authority figures as helping to keep stability in society, the more we recognise someone of authority, the more likely we are to obey them

Question 11

Evaluation of legitimacy of authority - strength

Answer 11

Milgram

• experimenter wore a lab coat increase in their legitimacy
• some ppt seemed to ignore the learners distress and focused on following orders
• shows they reunited the legitimate authority of researcher

Question 12

What do we call the factors that increasing the legitimacy of an authority figures

Answer 12

Situational variables

Question 13

Define situational variables

Answer 13

External explanations of obedience

Question 14

3 main situational variables

Answer 14

• location
• uniform
• proximity

Question 15

Define proximity

Answer 15

How aware individuals roof consequences of their actions in obeying authority figures

Question 16

Evaluation of proximity - strength

Answer 16

Milgram
- teacher and learner 46cm apart = 40% obedience
- experiment left the room = 20.5% obedience
Evident in situation of mass violent
- holocaust
- had mobile killing machine however physical proximity to victims = disturbing psychological effect so gas chamber where created

Question 17

Define location

Answer 17

Environment people are in can influence level of obedience

Question 18

Evaluation of location - strength

Answer 18

Milgram

- less prestigious surrounding = 47.5% obedience

Question 19

Define uniforms

Answer 19

Authority figures are often perceived o be ore legitimate when in uniform

Question 20

Evaluation of uniforms -strength

Answer 20

Bichman

• an authority figure told a ppt to pick up rubbish
• civilian clothes = 36% obedience
• milkman = 64%
• security guard = 82%

Question 21

Evaluations of uniforms - weakness

Answer 21

• don’t explain individual differences in ppls obedience
• tell us little about pp who didn’t obey
• personality factors