Agentic state + legitimacy of authority

• Agentic state

  We see ourselves as an agent carrying out someone else's wishes, e.g. 'I was just following orders'
• Agentic state

  • We fail to take responsibility because we believe we're acting on behalf of an authority figure
• Autonomous state


  We feel free of other influences and so take personal responsibility for our actions
• Agentic shift

  Switch from being autonomous to being an agent because we perceive someone else to be an authority figure entitled to expect obedience
• Agentic shift occurs

  As a way of maintaining a positive self-image because our behaviour is no longer our responsibility where it would otherwise be affected
• Binding factors


  Aspects of the situation that let a person ignore (minimise) the damaging effect of their behaviour, reduce moral strain by shifting responsibility
• Legitimate authority

  A person who is perceived to be in a position of social control (e.g. police) within a situation, i.e. they have the right or knowledge to do so
• Legitimacy of the institution

  Particularly important for a harmful order to be obeyed. They must occur in an institutional structure e.g. university, military
• In Milgram's 'run down office' many still obeyed because it was considered a scientific lab
• Legitimacy of person + order they give


  Higher status within the institution = more power to give order
• Order perceived to be within a legitimate area for the authority figure


  E.g. teacher at school vs in public setting
• Social centers


  May be more important than obedience
• Evidence

  Supports agency theory
• Real world examples

  • Supporting agency theory
• Evidence

  Supports legitimacy of authority
• The theory


  Can explain cultural differences in obedience
• Alternative explanations for obedience do exist