The Legitimate Authority Theory Essay -- social influence, authority, a

Obedience is a form of social influence in which a person yields to expressed instructions or orders from an potential figure. Already at an early progress we are taught to obey sureness figures within our social groups through influences such(prenominal) as parents, teachers or even religious establishments. The Agency Theory (Milgram 1963) supports the thought process that a person exit obey the Authority figure and run short as an agent for this authority figure under the implied possibility of in that respect being no consequences to their actions as either the authority figure will take on no liability or said authority figure has justified these action therefore they are acceptable. The strongest evidence reinforcement this guess was gained after researching WW2 German soldiers who were stationed at the labor and death camps. When asked wherefore they committed these atrocities they simply responded we were ordered to do this (Mike Haralambos et al (2002) Psycholog y in center A Level). The Legitimate Authority theory (Milgram 1963) strongly cerebrate into the Agency theory. As stated onwardshand one must get it on an individual or a collective of individuals as authority figures before acting on their behalf. This theory suggests that we obey those seen as authority figures as were are taught to do so from an early age. A legitimate authority figure can be individuals or organizations such as the government, the knob at work, a police officer or as exhibit in Milgrams study (1963) a scientist.The Gradual Commitment theory (Milgram 1963) expounds that an individual will willingly perform seemingly harmless, trivial tasks. Milgrams participants were encouraged to obey the experimenter by the gradual steps they were directed to take. This was gracious with increasi... ...rying out the orders. They were not supposed to take instructions by phone, allow alone exceed the allowed dose.Works CitedEysenck, M. and Flanagan, C. (2000) Psycholo gy for AS level, Hove, Psychology extractCox, E. (2008) AS Psychology, London, Philip Allan Updates Page 206Mike Haralambos et al (2002) Psychology in Focus A Level, The Bath Press Page 144The following studies were interpreted from this bookHofling (1966)http//www.psychology4a.com/Social%20influence.htm November 11, 2013http//aspsychologyblackpoolsixth.weebly.com/obedience.htmlNovember 11, 2013http//aspsychology101.wordpress.com/social-psychology/November 11, 2013http//atheism.about.com/od/warandmorality/a/jusadbellum_3.htmNovember 11, 2013Coralie et.al 2013 www.coraliethirietpsychology.wordpress.com/2013/03/01/obedience-experiment-coralie-medisa-zahra-bryony-and-jesse/ 13 November 2013