Exploring the role of obedience within social influence, this content delves into how authority figures can shape behavior. It examines the psychological underpinnings of obedience, differentiates it from conformity, and discusses the factors that influence compliance, including personality traits and the concept of the agentic state. Insights from Milgram's obedience experiment highlight the potential for both constructive and destructive obedience.
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Obedience is an individual's compliance with a directive from an established authority figure
Perceived Legitimacy of Authority
Obedience is influenced by the perceived legitimacy of the authority figure
Fear of Punishment
Obedience is also influenced by the fear of punishment for disobedience
Constructive Obedience
Constructive obedience contributes positively to society or individuals
Destructive Obedience
Destructive obedience can result in harmful consequences
Blind obedience refers to unquestioning compliance with orders
Blind obedience was illustrated in Stanley Milgram's obedience experiments
Blind obedience can lead to harmful consequences
Theory of Agentic State
The theory of the agentic state explains how individuals will obey an authority when they perceive themselves as the agent of the authority's will
Perceived Legitimacy of Authority
The perceived legitimacy of the authority is influential in shaping the degree of obedience
Context and Presence of Authority Figure
The context and physical proximity of the authority figure can also influence obedience
Authoritarian Personality
The authoritarian personality is more likely to comply with authority figures unquestioningly
Obedience involves adhering to the explicit commands of an authority figure, while conformity is the act of adjusting one's behavior to match the norms of a peer group
Obedience is driven by power dynamics, while conformity is motivated by the desire for social acceptance
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Children often see their ______ as legitimate authorities and comply with requests like adhering to a ______ or doing household tasks to evade disciplinary actions.
parents
curfew
01
Perceived legitimacy's role in obedience
Obedience increases with the authority's perceived legitimacy.
02
Fear of punishment's effect on obedience
Potential punishment for disobedience can compel individuals to obey.
