Legitimacy of Authority

Question 1

What is Legitimacy of Authority?

Answer 1

• When a person recognises their own and other’s positions in a social hierarchy
• Leading to recognition of the authority figure’s right to issue a demand
• Legitimacy is increased by visible symbols of authority, e.g. wearing a uniform, the legitimacy of setting

Question 2

A03 - Change of location

Answer 2

• Support comes from the variables of Milgram’s study suggest that legitimacy of authority affects obedience levels.
• A change of location and removal of the lab-coat decreased the levels of obedience demonstrated by participants.
• By altering these variables, the perceived legitimacy of the authority figure also changed.
• This suggests that obedience is related to the perceived legitimacy of the authority figure issuing an order.

Question 3

A03 - Too Simplistic

Answer 3

• However, it is likely that the ‘legitimacy of authority’, as proposed by Milgram, is too simplistic.
• For instance, Blass & Schmitt suggest two legitimacy factors: hierarchy-based influence (e.g. social rules) and social based influence within the authority figure (e.g. expertise; credibility)
  -Milgram emphasised hierarchy-based influence, but social based influence may also be important.
  -Therefore, legitimacy of authority may not fully explain obedience to authority figures.

Question 4

A03 - Bickman

Answer 4

Research supports the influence of uniform on obedience. Bickman investigated the power of uniforms in a field experiment conducted in New York. Bickman used three male actors: one dressed as a milkman; one dressed as a security guard; and one dressed in ordinary clothes. The actors asked members of the public to follow one of three instructions: pick up a bag; give someone money for a parking metre; and stand on the other side of a bus stop sign which said ‘no standing’.
On average the guard was obeyed on 76% of occasions, the milkman on 47% and the pedestrian on 30%.
These results suggest that people are more likely to obey when instructed by someone wearing a uniform. T
his is because the uniform infers a sense of legitimate authority and power, supporting Milgram’s theory that external factors affect obedience to authority.