Obedience in AQA A Level Psychology

What was the aim of the Milgram Experiment?

• To study memory retention

• To examine group conformity

• To explore cognitive dissonance

• To investigate obedience to authority

Explain the concept of the Agentic State in obedience research.

• The Agentic State is a mental state where individuals act as agents for an authority figure, feeling a diminished sense of personal responsibility for their actions.

• The Agentic State is a psychological state where individuals feel a heightened sense of personal responsibility.

• The Agentic State is a physical state where individuals are more likely to conform to group norms.

• The Agentic State is a mental state where individuals act as independent agents, disregarding authority figures.

Discuss the factors that influence obedience to authority figures.

• Distance from authority figure

• Personal beliefs about authority

• Perceived legitimacy of authority, proximity to authority figure, presence of disobedient role models, and cultural norms emphasizing respect for authority.

• Lack of consequences for disobedience

How does social influence play a role in obedience behavior?

• Individuals always resist social influence when it comes to obedience

• Social influence has no impact on obedience behavior

• Social influence can shape individuals' behavior by encouraging them to comply with the beliefs and behaviors of a group, leading to obedience.

• Obedience behavior is solely determined by genetics

What were the ethical concerns raised by the Milgram Experiment?

• Failure to debrief participants

• Use of animals in the experiment

• Deception, lack of informed consent, potential harm to participants, violation of ethical guidelines

• Lack of diversity among participants

Describe the role of proximity in obedience studies.

• Proximity only affects obedience in certain age groups

• Proximity is only relevant in online obedience studies

• Proximity has no impact on obedience studies

• Proximity plays a crucial role in obedience studies by influencing the likelihood of individuals obeying commands based on the physical distance between the authority figure and the individual.

How did Milgram's findings challenge the prevailing beliefs about human behavior?

• Milgram's findings proved that people always act in their best interest

• Milgram's findings suggested that people are not influenced by authority figures

• Milgram's findings showed that people are more likely to follow orders from authority figures, even if it goes against their moral beliefs.

• Milgram's findings indicated that people are not susceptible to social pressure

Explain the concept of destructive obedience.

• Destructive obedience is the act of blindly following orders that result in positive outcomes.

• Destructive obedience is the act of following orders without consequences.

• Destructive obedience is the act of questioning orders and commands.

• Destructive obedience is the act of blindly following orders or commands that result in harm or negative consequences to oneself or others.

Discuss the implications of obedience research on real-world situations.

• The implications of obedience research on real-world situations involve understanding how authority can influence individuals to act against their own moral beliefs.

• Obedience research has no impact on real-world situations

• Individuals always act in accordance with their moral beliefs

• Authority figures have no influence on people's behavior

What are some criticisms of the Milgram Experiment?

• Ethical concerns, lack of informed consent, potential for demand characteristics

• Unreliable results

• Biased sample selection

• Lack of generalizability