Obedience

• Obedience


  A complex aspect of human behaviour that has been extensively studied by psychologists
• Agentic state and the legitimacy of authority


  • Individuals are more likely to obey when they perceive themselves as acting on behalf of an authority figure, shifting responsibility away from themselves
  • Transfer of responsibility to someone seen as a legitimate authority can lead to increased obedience levels
• Stanley Milgram


  A social psychologist who conducted a series of experiments in the 1960s to investigate factors influencing obedience
• Situational variables influencing obedience

  • Proximity
  • Location
  • Presence of a uniform
• Participants in Milgram's studies were more likely to obey instructions when the authority figure giving commands was physically closer or in a more prestigious setting</b>
• Uniforms symbolize authority and can enhance the perceived legitimacy of the individual giving orders
• The association with authority figures in uniform can influence individuals to comply with instructions they might otherwise question
• Dispositional explanations for obedience

  • Authoritarian Personality theory
  • Individuals with authoritarian personalities tend to be submissive to authority, rigid in their beliefs, and have a strong respect for authority figures
• Understanding the intricate interplay between situational variables and dispositional factors can shed light on why individuals exhibit varying levels of obedience
• Exploring the multifaceted nature of obedience can offer valuable insights into societal dynamics, ethical decision-making, and the role of authority in shaping individual behaviours
• Obedience


  A complex aspect of human behaviour that has been extensively studied by psychologists
• Agentic state and the legitimacy of authority


  • Individuals are more likely to obey when they perceive themselves as acting on behalf of an authority figure, shifting responsibility away from themselves
  • Transfer of responsibility to someone seen as a legitimate authority can lead to increased obedience levels
• Stanley Milgram


  A social psychologist who conducted a series of experiments in the 1960s to investigate factors influencing obedience
• Situational variables influencing obedience

  • Proximity
  • Location
  • Presence of a uniform
• Participants in Milgram's studies were more likely to obey instructions when the authority figure giving commands was physically closer or in a more prestigious setting</b>
• Uniforms symbolize authority and can enhance the perceived legitimacy of the individual giving orders
• The association with authority figures in uniform can influence individuals to comply with instructions they might otherwise question
• Dispositional explanations for obedience

  • Authoritarian Personality theory
  • Individuals with authoritarian personalities tend to be submissive to authority, rigid in their beliefs, and have a strong respect for authority figures
• Understanding the intricate interplay between situational variables and dispositional factors can shed light on why individuals exhibit varying levels of obedience
• Exploring the multifaceted nature of obedience can offer valuable insights into societal dynamics, ethical decision-making, and the role of authority in shaping individual behaviours