An explanation for obedience which suggests that we are more likely to obey people who we perceive to have authority over us. This authority is justified (legitimate) by the individual’s position of power within a social hierarchy.
Why are certain people perceived in society to have more authority ?
Because :
We trust them so are willing to give up some of our independence and hand over control
They have the ability to punish us
How does legitimacy of authority apply to Milgram’s study?
The people saw the experimenter as legitimate as they knew he was a scientist and therefore is likely to be knowledgeable and responsible - this is called expert authority. This authority was legitimate because the researcher held the highest position within the social hierarchy of the experimental scenario
Legitimate authority becomes destructive when those figures use their legitimate powers for destructive purposes like oppression, exploitation, and domination.
