Obedience: Agentic State, Legitimate Authority

Question 1

A03: research evidence to support

Answer 1

• Film evidence and transcripts from Milgram show many of pt were reluctant to go on with the procedure
• but more willing to do so when they were assured by experimenter they were not responsible for the outcomes
  -the experimenter would take full responsibility if anything happened
• suggesting they were operating in agentic mode. enabled them to continue with the procedure.

Question 2

A03: Useful application

Answer 2

• Both Eichmann and Calley were convicted of their crimes. Their defence of ‘only following orders’ was not accepted.
• if we educate people to recognise dangers of blind obedience to malevolent authority, and make sure people understand they will be accountable for their actions, may reduce the amount of destructive obedience in society.
• criticisms of Milgram’s research may be unfounded
• Milgram is suggesting that we all need to be aware that only we are responsible for our behaviour.
• This should reduce blind obedience to authority rather than increase it.

Question 3

A03: research to support legitimacy of the authority figure

Answer 3

• (i.e) when Milgram moved study to run-down office, and the experimenter was apparently just a member of the public, obedience dropped to 47.5% from 65% (original study the experimenter was working in prestigious Yale uni)
• Bickman found 92% of pedestrians obeyed an order to give a stranger money for a parking meter (when person giving order was dressed as security guard)
  -compared to 49% when dressed in ordinary clothing
• Showing that when authority figure has greater status and a more legitimate authority, they are more likely to be obeyed.