Agency Theory
Milgram proposed that human behaviour evolved to include the
tendency to obey because rule-based behaviour enables stability in
a complex human society.
He believes that we switch between 2
states: The Agentic Shift:
Autonomous State - Behave voluntarily We judge whether other people are
and aware of our actions. We use our higher or lower than us.
free will and take responsibility for our Authority is legitimate when there is a
actions. consensus that a person has a right o
Agentic State - See yourselves as agents give orders.
of an authority figure and not Autonomous state to agentic state
responsible for actions. You give up equals agentic shift.
your free will.
Moral Strain = do something against our principles but seem to be
for the greater good - only for destructive obedience.
Moral Strain
Actions are causing
Harming someone is wrong
harm
Cognitive Dissonance
Socialisation - Training children from an early age to obedient to
authority at home, school and society. As we grow up we accept
that rules are reasonable and appropriate so we obey more.
Milgram proposed that human behaviour evolved to include the
tendency to obey because rule-based behaviour enables stability in
a complex human society.
He believes that we switch between 2
states: The Agentic Shift:
Autonomous State - Behave voluntarily We judge whether other people are
and aware of our actions. We use our higher or lower than us.
free will and take responsibility for our Authority is legitimate when there is a
actions. consensus that a person has a right o
Agentic State - See yourselves as agents give orders.
of an authority figure and not Autonomous state to agentic state
responsible for actions. You give up equals agentic shift.
your free will.
Moral Strain = do something against our principles but seem to be
for the greater good - only for destructive obedience.
Moral Strain
Actions are causing
Harming someone is wrong
harm
Cognitive Dissonance
Socialisation - Training children from an early age to obedient to
authority at home, school and society. As we grow up we accept
that rules are reasonable and appropriate so we obey more.
