Obedience : Argentic state / legitimacy of authority

• What are the two explanations for obedience mentioned in the material?

  Agentic state and legitimacy of authority
• What is the agentic state?

  A mental state with no personal responsibility
• How does the legitimacy of authority explain obedience?

  We obey those we perceive as having authority
• What are the two levels people operate on according to agency theory?

  • Autonomous individuals: aware of consequences
  • Agentic state: act as instruments for authority
• What triggers the agentic shift according to Milgram?

  Socialization to obey authority from a young age
• What are exit costs in the context of the agentic state?

  Factors that keep us in the agentic state
• What is a real-life application of the agentic shift argument?

  Atrocities during the Second World War
• What is a limitation of the agentic shift explanation?

  It does not explain all obedience findings
• What did Hofling et al. find in their study regarding nurses?

  95% obeyed orders for a higher drug dose
• What does Mandel's critique of the agentic state argue?

  Nazis acted with autonomy, not just obedience
• What is the legitimacy of authority based on?

  • Hierarchical social structures
  • Respect for authority figures' credentials
  • Assumption of authority figures' competence
• How does the legitimacy of authority relate to social power?

  It allows society to function smoothly
• What was the My Lai massacre?

  A war crime during the Vietnam War
• How did soldiers justify their actions during the My Lai massacre?

  They claimed they were "only doing their duty"
• What did Blass and Schmitt's research reveal about responsibility in Milgram's study?

  Students blamed the experimenter for harm
• What cultural differences did Kilham and Mann find in obedience levels?

  Australia had lower obedience than Germany
• Why is cross-cultural research important for the legitimacy of authority explanation?

  It shows varying obedience levels across cultures
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the legitimacy of authority explanation?

  Strengths:

  • Explains real-life war crimes
  • Supported by research findings

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • May lead to unethical obedience
  • Not universally applicable across cultures