Explain one or more reasons why people obey authority. (Total 6 marks)

Model Answer

One reason people obey is the agentic state, where individuals see themselves as acting on behalf of an authority figure. This reduces their sense of personal responsibility, as seen in Milgram’s study, where participants continued administering shocks because they believed the experimenter was responsible.

Another reason is the legitimacy of authority, where individuals obey those they perceive as having a recognised position of power. For instance, participants in Milgram’s study were more likely to obey due to the experimenter’s lab coat and affiliation with Yale University, which signified authority.