Agency Theory

• What is Milgram's agency theory about?

  People obey authority when they believe it takes responsibility.
• What do people surrender to according to Milgram's theory?

  People surrender their free will to authority figures.
• What is the significance of the term "agentic state" in Milgram's theory?

  It describes individuals acting on behalf of authority.
• What percentage of participants followed orders in Milgram's 1963 study?

  65%
• What was a weakness of Milgram's study?

  It lacked credibility due to ethical concerns.
• What does the term "defense mechanism" refer to in the context of moral strain?

  It refers to psychological strategies to cope with stress.
• How does Milgram's theory explain the behavior of Nazis during the Holocaust?

  It suggests they surrendered their free will to authority.
• How can Milgram's findings be applied to modern authority situations?

  They can explain compliance in military and corporate settings.
• What are the signs of moral strain according to Milgram's theory?

  • Physical distress
  • Emotional discomfort
  • Ethical dilemmas
• What is the relationship between authority figures and obedience in Milgram's theory?

  Authority figures can compel obedience through perceived responsibility.
• What is the term for the shift in responsibility to authority in Milgram's theory?

  Agentic shift
• What does Milgram's theory suggest about individual decision-making?

  It suggests individuals may defer decisions to authority.
• How does Milgram's theory relate to the concept of personal responsibility?

  It indicates that personal responsibility can diminish under authority.
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of Milgram's agency theory?

  Strengths:

  • Provides insight into obedience
  • Explains historical atrocities

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Ethical concerns in study design
  • Limited generalizability to real-world situations