Comparing Agency Theory and Social Impact Theory

• Similarities - Social Impact theory

  • Useful to society in that this theory may help predict and prevent future atrocities.
  • We can use what this theory says about obedience to limit the influence that ‘bad’ figures may have on certain groups of people
  • Or it can be used positively e.g political races.
  • Sedikes + Jackson (1990) field experiment shows the importance of authority figures and the influence others in the environment can have.
  • This study has similar findings of obedience to Milgram's variation, so can be used to explain obedience.
• Differences: Social Impact Theory

  • Focusing on nurture,social interactions is what shapes our behavior and response to authority.
  • We learn to obey through our interactions is what shapes our behavior and response to society. Hence, why different people respond differently to different authority figures.
  • Offers more of an explanation as its ‘formula’ can work in all situations.
  • Can be used to explain why people do not obey in certain situations, and how obedience can be manipulated.
• Differences - Agency Theory

  • Focuses on nature. Our response to authority figures= comes from the role evolution has in our behavior.
  • Obeying an authority (without much questioning) can be seen all throughout history.
  • Is rather circular as it claims we obey authority as we are agents of authority.
• Similarities - Agency Theory


  • The agency theory shows us how much power authority figures can have, and how they be abused in the wrong circumstances e.g WW2
  • Can also be used to explain real life behavior in the same situations, and relieve some guilt from people that have committed bad acts.
  • Supported by Milgram's study.
  • Milgram's suggestion is that in the face of legitimate authority people are highly likely to carry out orders, despite high levels of moral strain, which can be explained by agency theory
• What are the similarities between Agency Theory and Social Impact Theory?

  • Both explain obedience to authority.
  • Both are supported by empirical studies (Milgram for Agency Theory, Sedikes & Jackson for SIT).
  • Both have real-world applications in understanding and preventing harmful obedience.
• What are the differences between Agency Theory and Social Impact Theory?

  • Agency Theory focuses on evolutionary instincts, while Social Impact Theory emphasizes learned social behaviors.
  • Agency Theory suggests universal obedience, while Social Impact Theory highlights variability in obedience based on social context.