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Agency Theory (1.1.1)
Evaluate agency theory as an explanation of obedience (8)
General:
The Agency Theory is the idea that our social system leads to obedience
Obedience to authority helps our society to run smoothly
We live in hierarchically organised social groups and that in order for society
to function successfully, subordinates may sometimes have to suppress their
personal desires to carry out what their superiors what them to do
The subordinates act as agents for their superiors
Where does obedience come from:
Nature (what you are born with)
Evolutionary/genetically
Nurture (the influence of your environment)
Obedience can be learnt by one's surrounding environment when growing up,
eg from parents
There are hierarchies in every society/group
Obedience is shaped by different parenting style and by educational
experiences
Agency Theory by Milgram
Suggests that humans have two mindsets that enable them to operate
independently (autonomous state) or under the direction of others (agentic
state)
Autonomous state: (our behaviour is self-directed)
Agency Theory (1.1.1) 1
, A mindset where individuals behave independently and display free will
Thus make own decisions on how to behave and take responsibility for the
consequences of their own actions
The state, where we exercise our personal understanding of right and wrong
to guide our choices (depending on the situation)
We are in an autonomous state - when we are on our own, with peers, or those
we perceive as below us in the social hierarchy
Agentic Shift (shift from the autonomous state to the agentic state):
We quickly judge whether another person is higher or lower than us in the
social hierarchy and whether they have legitimate authority → thus the social
consensus that someone has the right to give orders and to enforce
obedience)
Therefore when confronted with a legitimate authority figure, we change our
normal autonomous state to the agentic state - this is agentic shift
Agentic State:
A mindset which allows individuals to carry out orders from an authority figure
- even if it conflicts with their personal sense of right/wrong
Absolve themselves of responsibility - believe that we are acting on the
behalf of the authority figure → become their ‘agent’
Thus blame them for any negative consequences
This mindset can lead to destructive obedience → where individuals conduct
actions that will results in negative outcomes such as harm to others.
Blind obedience - when individuals do what they are told to, regardless of
what they believe is ethically, morally or legally correct
Moral Strain
A state of mental discomfort or anxiety experienced in the agentic state when
a person's actions conflict with their personal morals
AO3
Strength: SE
Agency Theory (1.1.1) 2
Agency Theory (1.1.1)
Evaluate agency theory as an explanation of obedience (8)
General:
The Agency Theory is the idea that our social system leads to obedience
Obedience to authority helps our society to run smoothly
We live in hierarchically organised social groups and that in order for society
to function successfully, subordinates may sometimes have to suppress their
personal desires to carry out what their superiors what them to do
The subordinates act as agents for their superiors
Where does obedience come from:
Nature (what you are born with)
Evolutionary/genetically
Nurture (the influence of your environment)
Obedience can be learnt by one's surrounding environment when growing up,
eg from parents
There are hierarchies in every society/group
Obedience is shaped by different parenting style and by educational
experiences
Agency Theory by Milgram
Suggests that humans have two mindsets that enable them to operate
independently (autonomous state) or under the direction of others (agentic
state)
Autonomous state: (our behaviour is self-directed)
Agency Theory (1.1.1) 1
, A mindset where individuals behave independently and display free will
Thus make own decisions on how to behave and take responsibility for the
consequences of their own actions
The state, where we exercise our personal understanding of right and wrong
to guide our choices (depending on the situation)
We are in an autonomous state - when we are on our own, with peers, or those
we perceive as below us in the social hierarchy
Agentic Shift (shift from the autonomous state to the agentic state):
We quickly judge whether another person is higher or lower than us in the
social hierarchy and whether they have legitimate authority → thus the social
consensus that someone has the right to give orders and to enforce
obedience)
Therefore when confronted with a legitimate authority figure, we change our
normal autonomous state to the agentic state - this is agentic shift
Agentic State:
A mindset which allows individuals to carry out orders from an authority figure
- even if it conflicts with their personal sense of right/wrong
Absolve themselves of responsibility - believe that we are acting on the
behalf of the authority figure → become their ‘agent’
Thus blame them for any negative consequences
This mindset can lead to destructive obedience → where individuals conduct
actions that will results in negative outcomes such as harm to others.
Blind obedience - when individuals do what they are told to, regardless of
what they believe is ethically, morally or legally correct
Moral Strain
A state of mental discomfort or anxiety experienced in the agentic state when
a person's actions conflict with their personal morals
AO3
Strength: SE
Agency Theory (1.1.1) 2
