These attempt to explain the reasons as to why people obey, these explanations can be related to situational factors
(environmental features) or dispositional ones (individual personality characteristics). These aren’t inevitably separate and may be
used together to explain why someone obeys in a certain situation.
Agentic state = Milgram proposed the agency theory which suggests we have 2 psychological states: the autonomous and the
agentic state. Within the autonomous, we see ourselves as directly responsible for our actions. However, within the agentic state,
we view ourselves as acting as an ‘agent’ for an authority figure and do not feel responsible for our actions therefore almost
blindly obeying what they say, even if it’s something we ordinarily think is wrong. This theory also sees obedience as ensuing in
hierarchical social systems where people obey those of higher ranks to them.
In Milgram’s study, the participants handed over moral responsibility to the authority figure when he told them they would not be
responsible for any harm caused; this meant they could easily carry on. In post-experimental interviews, the participants also said
they were just ‘doing what they were told’.
Legitimacy of authority = The level to which someone is validated as having power over others. From a young age, having
authority social figures is normalised in the form of parents, teachers etc. This makes most of us obedient and able to accept the
power someone has over us.
In Milgram’s study, some participants ignored the distress of the learner and focused on the procedure outlined by the ‘powerful’
authority figure as they were just obedient.
Discuss the legitimacy of authority and agentic state explanation of obedience (16)
One type of social-psychological explanation of obedience is the agentic state. In an agentic state a person feels no personal
responsibility for their actions, they are acting on behalf of another person. The shift from autonomy to being an “agent” is
called the agentic shift and happens when we perceive someone else as an authority figure and we respect their orders. This
person has power due to their social position. Binding factors are aspects of a situation that allow the person to ignore the
damaging effect of their behaviours and reduce the moral strain. For example, denying responsibility for the victim to the
damage done to them.
A stength of the agentic state as an explanation for obedience is that there is research support.
Evidence for this comes from Milgram who found that when participants were told by the experimenter that the experiment was
responsible for any harm, they quickly continued without further objections.
This is a strength because it shows how when they perceive that they are not responsible then they are happy to carry out the
instructions.
Therefore, this makes the agentic state explanation more valid.
A limitation of the agentic state explanation is that there is contradictory research.
For example, Rank and Jacobson found that 16 out of 18 nurses disobeyed orders from a doctor who was an authority figure
about administering exercise drug doses.
This is an issue because it shows that in some situations people may remain autonomous and not wish to act as an agent.
Therefore, the agentic shift is a limited explanation as it may only account for some situations.
Another social-psychological explanation of obedience is the legitimacy of authority. Most societies are structured hierarchically.
People in certain positions hold authority over the rest of us such as teachers and police officers. The authority they have is
legitimate in the sense that it is agreed upon by society. We mostly agree that authority figures should exercise powers over
others in society to run smoothly. We give up some of our independence to people we trust to exercise their authority properly, we
learn this through childhood from our parents and teachers.
(environmental features) or dispositional ones (individual personality characteristics). These aren’t inevitably separate and may be
used together to explain why someone obeys in a certain situation.
Agentic state = Milgram proposed the agency theory which suggests we have 2 psychological states: the autonomous and the
agentic state. Within the autonomous, we see ourselves as directly responsible for our actions. However, within the agentic state,
we view ourselves as acting as an ‘agent’ for an authority figure and do not feel responsible for our actions therefore almost
blindly obeying what they say, even if it’s something we ordinarily think is wrong. This theory also sees obedience as ensuing in
hierarchical social systems where people obey those of higher ranks to them.
In Milgram’s study, the participants handed over moral responsibility to the authority figure when he told them they would not be
responsible for any harm caused; this meant they could easily carry on. In post-experimental interviews, the participants also said
they were just ‘doing what they were told’.
Legitimacy of authority = The level to which someone is validated as having power over others. From a young age, having
authority social figures is normalised in the form of parents, teachers etc. This makes most of us obedient and able to accept the
power someone has over us.
In Milgram’s study, some participants ignored the distress of the learner and focused on the procedure outlined by the ‘powerful’
authority figure as they were just obedient.
Discuss the legitimacy of authority and agentic state explanation of obedience (16)
One type of social-psychological explanation of obedience is the agentic state. In an agentic state a person feels no personal
responsibility for their actions, they are acting on behalf of another person. The shift from autonomy to being an “agent” is
called the agentic shift and happens when we perceive someone else as an authority figure and we respect their orders. This
person has power due to their social position. Binding factors are aspects of a situation that allow the person to ignore the
damaging effect of their behaviours and reduce the moral strain. For example, denying responsibility for the victim to the
damage done to them.
A stength of the agentic state as an explanation for obedience is that there is research support.
Evidence for this comes from Milgram who found that when participants were told by the experimenter that the experiment was
responsible for any harm, they quickly continued without further objections.
This is a strength because it shows how when they perceive that they are not responsible then they are happy to carry out the
instructions.
Therefore, this makes the agentic state explanation more valid.
A limitation of the agentic state explanation is that there is contradictory research.
For example, Rank and Jacobson found that 16 out of 18 nurses disobeyed orders from a doctor who was an authority figure
about administering exercise drug doses.
This is an issue because it shows that in some situations people may remain autonomous and not wish to act as an agent.
Therefore, the agentic shift is a limited explanation as it may only account for some situations.
Another social-psychological explanation of obedience is the legitimacy of authority. Most societies are structured hierarchically.
People in certain positions hold authority over the rest of us such as teachers and police officers. The authority they have is
legitimate in the sense that it is agreed upon by society. We mostly agree that authority figures should exercise powers over
others in society to run smoothly. We give up some of our independence to people we trust to exercise their authority properly, we
learn this through childhood from our parents and teachers.
