Legitimacy Of Authority AO3

Question 1

Strength of Legitimacy of Authority (Research Support - Milgram’s Studies)

Answer 1

Milgram’s studies provide strong evidence for the legitimacy of authority. Participants were more likely to obey the experimenter (an authority figure) even when they were causing harm, highlighting how authority figures can make commands appear legitimate.

Question 2

Strength of Legitimacy of Authority (Historical Evidence - Holocaust)

Answer 2

The theory of legitimacy of authority can explain real-world events like the Holocaust, where Nazi officers justified their actions by viewing their authority as legitimate, helping to understand how authority figures can make harmful actions appear acceptable.

Question 3

Weakness of Legitimacy of Authority (Not Applicable to All Situations)

Answer 3

The legitimacy of authority theory does not apply to all types of authority figures. For example, civilian authority figures (e.g., a teacher or manager) may not be as able to command obedience in harmful situations as military or police figures, suggesting that the theory may be limited in scope.

Question 4

Weakness of Legitimacy of Authority (Cultural Bias)

Answer 4

The theory is based on Western, individualistic cultures and may not fully explain obedience in collectivist cultures where authority figures are treated with more respect and obedience is expected. This limits its cross-cultural validity.