Legitimacy of Authority

• Legitimacy of authority- when a person recognises their own and others position in a social hierarchy, allowing the authority figure to be obeyed
• Legitimacy of authority can be increased by visible symbols of authority and external factors.
• Evaluation of Legitimacy of authority:

  • Explains cultural differences in obedience levels- Kilman and Mann (1974) 16% of Australian women went to 450 volts. Mantell (1971) 85% of German pps went to 450 volts
  • Different results suggest that children are raised differently to perceive authority figures
  • Can't explain all disobedience- legitimate authority is present in Rank and Jacobson, but disobedience occurs still, suggesting obedience is also influenced by personality traits