situational explanations

• define situational explanation

  behaviour is influenced by external factors
• what are the 3 situational explanations?

  1. agency theory
  2. legitimacy of authority
  3. power of situation
• explain the agency theory

  people shift between autonomous state and agentic state

  • autonomous state - individuals act according to personal principles and take responsibility for actions
  • agentic state - individuals see themselves as agents of authority figure and don't feel responsible for actions
• how does agency theory affect obedience?

  • agentic state - more likely to obey as they don't take responsibility
• explain legitimacy of authority

  more likely to obey individuals who are perceived to be in positions of legitimate authority

  • perceived legitimacy increases obedience
• how does legitimacy of authority affect obedience?

  authority figures are seen as trustworthy so more likely to follow commands
• explain power of situation

  obedience is influenced by situational factors

  • e.g. proximity and presence of others
• how does the power of the situation affect obedience?

  • if feel distant from victim, more likely to obey orders
  • if other people are obeying, may feel less responsible and more likely to obey
• weakness - lacks explanatory power

  • individual differences
  • 35% refused to obey
  • influence of dispositional factors
• strength - research support

  • Hofling et al found 21 out of 22 nurses obeyed dangerous order from doctor
  • provides real-world relevance
  • Rank & Jacobson found if there was a discussion then obedience dropped
• strength - ecological validity

  • nuremberg trials found nazi officer claimed they were "following orders"
  • real-world consequences
  • personality and morality also influence obedience