A mental state where we feel no personal responsibility for our behaviour because we believe ourselves to be acting for an authority figure, i.e. as their agent. This frees us from the demands of our consciences and allows us to obey even a destructive authority figure.
What is moral strain?
Refers to the psychological stress or conflict that arises when an individual's personal values or moral beliefs are in conflict with their actions or the expectations of others.
An agent is not an unfeeling puppet – they experience high anxiety (‘moral strain’) when they realise that what they are doing is wrong, but feel powerless to disobey.
What is the opposite of the agentic state?
Autonomous state, where the person is free to behave according to their own principles and therefore feels a sense of responsibility for their own actions.
What is an agentic shift?
When a person shifts from the autonomous state to an agentic state
Why does the agentic shift occur?
When a person perceives someone else as a figure of authority. This other person has greater power because of their position in a social hierarchy. In most social groups when one person is in charge, others defer to this person and shift from autonomy to agency.
What are binding factors?
Aspects of the situation that allow the person to ignore or minimise the damaging effect of their behaviour and thus reduce the ‘moral strain’ they are feeling
