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Explanations for Obedience - Coggle Diagram
Explanations for Obedience
Milgram proposed the idea of the agency theory which argues that we are socialized from an early age to learn that obedience to rules is necessary to keep stability within society . An individual must give over some of their free will .
When an individual has control and acts according to their own wishes , they are said to be in an autonomous state and therefore see themselves as responsible for their actions
When an individual obeys an authority figure they give up some free will and enter an agentic state where they see themselves as an agent of the authority figure giving the order . Therefore its is the authority figure who is seen as responsible for the consequences of the individuals actions
In this was a person may become de-individuated so may obey orders that go against their moral code because they don't see themselves as responsible for their behavior
For example Adolf Eichmann , the nazi responsible for the extermination of millions during the second world war , saw himself in a agent state
The agency theory sees obedience as occurring in hierarchical social systems where individuals will act as agents for and so obey those of perceived higher ranks than themsleves
Research for the agency theory
Milgram reported that in a 'remote authority' variation of his procedure when the confederate researcher wasn't in the same room as the teacher but gave orders over the phone , obedience declined from 62.5 per cent to 20.5 per cent . This suggests that participants were in the autonomous state and saw themselves as responsible for their actions
Milgram reported that many participants in his study were under moral strain as during debriefing many participants admitted that they knew that what they were doing is wrong . However they continued to obey which suggests they were in an agentic state and felt that they had to obey the orders of a higher ranked authority figure
Legitimacy of authority
Obedient individuals accept the power and status of authority figures to give orders : they are seen as being in charge . This links to the agency theory that individuals are socialized to recognize the value of obedience to authority figures as helping to keep stability in society
From an early age people experience examples of social roles relating to master and servant relationships , such as parent-child , teacher-student . Obeying those higher in the social hierarchy puts an emphasis on doing ones perceived duty
Research for legitimacy of authority
Milgram reported that some participants in his study ignored the learners apparent distress , showing little sign of harm themselves , but instead focused on following the procedure , for example by pressing the buttons properly . In this way they could be seen to be doing their duty and therefore recognizing the legitimate authority of the researcher
Dehumanisation : This explanation argues that is its easier to obey orders that result in negative consequences if the recipients of the behaviour are first dehumanised so that they are percieved as somehow deserving of the treatment handed out to them . This also results in less moral strain experienced
The nazis portrayed jewish people are subhuman and themselves as superior humans . They argued that inferior races were a threat to genetic purity and the natural superiority of the German Aryn race . Propaganda films at the time showed jewish people as filthy and spreading disease .
Milgram reported that some participants In his study made comments such as 'that guy in there was stupid he deserved to be shocked', illustrating how dehumanization can lessen moral strain
