topic 5 - understand ways to prevent blind obedience to an authority figure

Question 1

what are the different ways to prevent blind obedience ?

Answer 1

social support, familiarity of the situation, distance and education

Question 2

explain how ‘social support’ prevents blind obedience, what study is used etc?

Answer 2

one of the situational factors in Milgrams experiment which lowered obedience was the presence of an ally. When we are with others who resist obedience, we are more likely to follow as well.

Important for real life application as we are able to look to others for support if we are uncertain of what to do when given an order form an authority figure. If some organisations are provided with staff mentors, staff can talk to them if they are asked to do something which they normally would not do themselves.

Question 3

explain how ‘familiarity of the situation’ prevents blind obedience, what study is used etc?

Answer 3

If we are in a situation which is unfamiliar or difficult, we are more likely to follow orders as we don’t know how to behave.

• The nurses in Hofling et al’s study (1966) were asked to administer a drug that they were unfamiliar with, therefore, there is a higher rate of obedience as they are unsure of what to do.
• In Rank and Jacobson’s replicated study (1977) and used a drug which was well known to nurses. If we have information or knowledge of the situation, then we are less likely to look to others or follow orders.

Question 4

explain how ‘distance’ prevents blind obedience, what study is used?

Answer 4

Milgram demonstrated that proximity of the authority figure, has a significant impact on the rate of obedience. If we increase the distance between ourselves and an authority figure then their impact is lessened.

This means that we can be taught t walk away from a situation that we are uncomfortable with, meaning we would be less likely to blindly obey.

Question 5

explain how ‘education’ prevents blind obedience

Answer 5

Now that we are familiar with Milgrams study, then we know that it can help us identify and resist blind obedience in the future. Education about the dangers of blind obedience is key to resisting it as it can give us insight into our own behaviour.

Organisations may adapt education programmes and policies to help support employees who believe they need to question authority.