obedience: situational explanations Flashcards
(30 cards)
What is the agentic state?
A mental state where we feel no personal responsibility for our behavior because we believe we are acting for an authority figure.
What is the autonomous state?
A state where a person acts according to their own principles and feels responsible for their own actions.
What is the agentic shift?
The transition from autonomy to agency, typically when a person perceives someone else as an authority figure.
What causes the agentic shift according to Milgram?
It occurs when a person sees someone else as an authority figure due to their position in a social hierarchy.
What are binding factors?
Aspects of the situation that allow a person to ignore the damaging effects of their behavior.
Give examples of binding factors.
~ blaming the victim
~ denying the damage
~ shifting responsibility
What is legitimacy of authority?
The idea that we are more likely to obey people who we perceive to have authority over us.
How is authority legitimized in society?
It is agreed upon by society and accepted as necessary for social order.
What is destructive authority?
When authority figures use their power to order people to behave in cruel or dangerous ways.
Give examples of destructive authority.
~ Hitler
~ Milgram’s experimenter
How does Milgram’s study support the agentic state?
When participants asked who would be responsible if the learner was harmed, they often continued to give shocks when the experimenter took responsibility.
What research supports the agentic state explanation?
Milgram’s own studies where participants continued to give shocks when the experimenter took responsibility for harm to the learner.
What is a limitation of the agentic state explanation?
It doesn’t explain all obedience, such as nurses in Hofling’s study who disobeyed.
What is the ‘obedience alibi’ criticism?
That the agentic state gives people an excuse for destructive behavior.
What example challenges the agentic state explanation?
German Reserve Police Battalion 101, who killed without direct orders.
What does the legitimacy of authority explanation account for?
Cultural differences in obedience.
What is an example of cultural differences in obedience?
Australian women only 16% obeyed, German participants 85% obeyed.
What does research into cultural differences suggest?
That societal structure and upbringing affect how we respond to authority.
Why can’t legitimacy of authority explain all obedience?
Because people still disobey even when the authority is legitimate.
What is the implication of people disobeying legitimate authority?
That other factors like personality or moral reasoning also play a role.
Why do we accept legitimate authority?
We are socialized to do so from a young age, starting with parents.
What role do parents and teachers play in obedience?
They are early sources of legitimate authority, teaching obedience.
What emotional state is linked to the agentic state?
Moral strain—distress felt when obeying orders that go against personal values.
How did Milgram describe the Experimenter’s authority?
As legitimate due to his position in a scientific hierarchy.
