A03

• Point: One strength is that Milgram's own studies support the role of the agentic state in obedience.

  Evidence: Most participants resisted the experimenter’s orders at some point, but when assured of their lack of personal accountability, participants acted more readily without any objections.

  Explain: This indicates that the perception of reduced personal responsibility facilitates obedience, aligning with Milgram's concept of the agentic state.

  Link: Therefore, this suggests that the agentic state provides a valid explanation for obedience behaviours observed in Milgram's experiments.
• Point: However, a limitation arises as the agentic shift fails to explain certain instances of disobedience.

  Evidence: Rank and Jacobson (1977) found that 16/18 hospital nurses disobeyed order from a doctor to administer an excessive drug dose to a patient. 

  Explain: Most nurses remained autonomous despite clear hierarchical structures as the doctor is an obvious authoritative figure in that context.

  Link: Therefore, this highlights the need for alternative explanations beyond the agentic shift in understanding obedience behaviours.
• Point: A strength of the legitimacy of authority explanation is that it can explain cultural variations in obedience.

  Evidence: Kilham and Mann (1974) found varying obedience rates across different cultures, reflecting differences in the perceived legitimacy of authority.

  Explain: For example, 16% of Australian women obeyed all the way in a Milgram-style study, compared to 85% of German participants.

  Link: Therefore, this suggests that the legitimacy explanation offers valuable insights into how societal structures and cultural upbringing impact obedience behaviours.
• P: :( as legitimacy fails to account for instances of disobedience within clear hierarchical structures.

  E: Rank & Jacobson's (1977) study plus as some participants in Milgram's experiments demonstrated disobedience despite the recognized authority of the figures involved.

  E: This challenges the explanatory power of legitimacy, suggesting that individual tendencies may override perceptions of authority.

  L: Thus, this limitation outlines the complexity of obedience behaviours, suggesting that individual differences may play a significant role alongside perceived legitimacy of authority.