GCSE Psychology: Social Influence - Obedience Guide

What is obedience?

Obedience is following the direct instructions of an authority figure, even when this conflicts with a person's own judgement or values.

Milgram's obedience study

Milgram's study found many participants were willing to administer what they believed were dangerous electric shocks to another person simply because an authority figure instructed them to continue.

Factors affecting obedience

Obedience is affected by factors including the proximity of the authority figure, the proximity of the victim, and the location and perceived legitimacy of the setting.

Explanations for obedience

The agentic state explains obedience as people seeing themselves as acting on behalf of an authority figure, reducing their sense of personal responsibility for their actions.

Common mistakes

• Assuming Milgram's findings mean most people are naturally cruel, rather than heavily influenced by situational factors.
• Forgetting proximity to both the authority figure and the victim both affect obedience levels.
• Confusing obedience (following direct orders) with conformity (matching group behaviour).