Friday, 6 March 2015

Social - Why do people obey?

Situational Factors

Legitimate Authority: If someone is considered to be in a real position of power or at the top of a social hierarchy people are more likely to obey them. They may be trusted or may just have the power to punish. 

e.g. • Milgram - Obedience high at Yale University as opposed to run down office. 
       • Hofling - Degree of power and trust invested in doctors.
       • Bickman - 92% obedience rate in uniform. 

Authority figure takes responsibility: For the authority figure to be obeyed they need to take the responsibility for the subordinates actions. e.g. Milgram - experimenter says they're responsible. 

Agency Theory: The person sees themselves as the agent of others and don't feel personally responsible for their actions. e.g. Hofling. 

Graduated Commitment: Being locked into obedience in small stages. e.g. Milgram. 

Buffer: When the participant doesn't see the result of their actions. e.g. Milgram; Hiroshima. 

Personality Factors

Authoritarian Personality: People who have a tendency to obey and had a restrictive childhood that makes them hostile towards minority groups in the future. 

External Locus of Control: People who believe that their behaviour is due to external factors like luck and fate, making them more likely to obey. 

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