Obedience: The Agentic State and Legitimacy of Authority

What is the agentic state?

A mental state where a person feels no personal responsibility because they are acting on behalf of an authority figure.

Why do people obey in the agentic state?

They believe the authority figure is responsible for their actions.

What happens to conscience in the agentic state?

It is reduced, making it easier to obey destructive orders.

What is the autonomous state?

A state where a person feels independent and responsible for their actions.

What is an agentic shift?

A shift from the autonomous state to the agentic state.

What triggers an agentic shift?

Perceiving someone else as a legitimate authority figure.

What are binding factors?

Factors that keep someone in the agentic state.

Give an example of a binding factor.

Fear of punishment or being rude.

How does the agentic state explain soldiers’ behaviour?

Soldiers act on behalf of commanders and shift responsibility to authority.

Why might soldiers commit crimes in the agentic state?

Responsibility is displaced onto the commander.

What is legitimacy of authority?

The idea that we are more likely to obey people we see as having authority over us.

Why do people obey legitimate authority?

Because authority is justified by social hierarchy.

How are societies structured according to legitimacy of authority?

They are structured hierarchically.

Why do people accept authority figures’ power?

Society agrees to give them power.

How can legitimate authority lead to dangerous behaviour?

People obey orders without questioning them.