Obedience » Milgram Agency Theory

What you'll learn this session

Study time: 30 minutes

Milgram's Agency Theory of obedience
The agentic and autonomous states
Key factors that influence the agentic shift
Real-world applications of Agency Theory
Strengths and limitations of the theory
How to evaluate Agency Theory using evidence

Introduction to Milgram's Agency Theory

After conducting his famous obedience experiments in the 1960s, Stanley Milgram needed to explain why so many ordinary people were willing to deliver potentially lethal electric shocks to innocent victims when instructed by an authority figure. His Agency Theory was developed to explain this disturbing level of obedience.

Key Definitions:

Agency Theory: Milgram's explanation for why people obey authority figures, suggesting that humans operate in different mental states that affect their willingness to take responsibility for their actions.
Agentic state: A mental condition where a person sees themselves as an agent of someone else's will, following orders without feeling personally responsible.
Autonomous state: A mental condition where a person sees themselves as acting on their own, taking full responsibility for their actions.

👤 Autonomous State

In this state, people:

Take full responsibility for their actions
Make decisions based on their own moral code
Consider the consequences of their behaviour
Act according to their personal values

👦 Agentic State

In this state, people:

See themselves as carrying out someone else's wishes
Pass responsibility to the authority figure
Focus on following orders correctly rather than the consequences
Feel duty-bound to obey

The Agentic Shift

According to Milgram, people naturally operate in an autonomous state but can switch to an agentic state when certain conditions are met. This transition is called the agentic shift.

Factors That Trigger the Agentic Shift

Milgram identified several key factors that make it more likely for someone to enter an agentic state:

🎓 Legitimate Authority

People are more likely to obey those they perceive as having the right to give orders. This could be due to their position, uniform, title, or expertise.

🏫 Institutional Setting

Formal environments (like laboratories, hospitals, or military bases) create a context where obedience feels appropriate and expected.

👥 Social Expectations

Cultural norms and socialisation teach us to respect and obey authority figures from childhood.

Case Study Focus: Milgram's Obedience Experiment

In Milgram's original experiment, participants were ordered to deliver electric shocks to a "learner" (actually an actor) when they gave incorrect answers. Despite hearing cries of pain, 65% of participants continued to the maximum 450-volt shock when instructed by the experimenter. When asked why they continued, many participants said they were "just following orders" - a classic example of the agentic state in action.

Evidence for Agency Theory

Milgram's theory is supported by several pieces of evidence:

Participants' statements: Many participants in Milgram's studies explicitly stated they felt the experimenter was responsible for what happened, not themselves.
Variations in obedience: When the authority figure's legitimacy was reduced (e.g., the experiment moved to a rundown office instead of Yale University), obedience rates dropped significantly.
Real-world examples: Historical events like the Holocaust show how ordinary people can commit terrible acts when they see themselves as "just following orders".

Buffers Against Obedience

Milgram also identified factors that can help people resist the agentic shift and maintain their autonomous state:

🚶 Distance from Authority

Physical distance from the authority figure reduces obedience. When the experimenter gave orders by telephone rather than being present in the room, obedience dropped dramatically.

👫 Peer Support

When others refuse to obey, it's easier to resist. In variations where confederates refused to continue, participants were much more likely to disobey the authority figure.

Evaluating Agency Theory

Strengths of Agency Theory

Explanatory power: The theory helps explain why ordinary people commit extraordinary acts of cruelty when ordered to do so.
Experimental support: Milgram's variations showed that factors like proximity to authority and legitimacy affected obedience as the theory would predict.
Real-world application: The theory helps us understand historical atrocities and everyday obedience in hierarchical structures.

Limitations of Agency Theory

Oversimplification: The theory reduces complex human behaviour to just two states, which may be too simplistic.
Individual differences: The theory doesn't fully explain why some people resist authority while others comply.
Ethical issues: The evidence supporting the theory comes from experiments that raised serious ethical concerns.
Alternative explanations: Other theories, such as social identity theory, may better explain some aspects of obedience.

Real-World Application: The Abu Ghraib Prison Scandal

In 2004, photos emerged showing US soldiers abusing Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison. Many soldiers later claimed they were "following orders" or that they believed their actions were approved by higher authorities. This demonstrates how the agentic state can operate in modern military contexts, with soldiers shifting responsibility to their commanding officers.

Preventing Harmful Obedience

Understanding Agency Theory can help us design systems that prevent harmful obedience:

Clear personal responsibility: Organisations can emphasise that "following orders" doesn't remove personal responsibility.
Whistleblower protection: Creating safe ways for people to report unethical orders.
Ethics training: Teaching people to recognise when they're entering an agentic state and how to critically evaluate orders.
Diverse decision-making: Including multiple perspectives in decisions to prevent uncritical obedience.

Exam Application

When writing about Agency Theory in exams, remember to:

Define the agentic and autonomous states clearly
Explain the process of the agentic shift and factors that influence it
Use evidence from Milgram's studies to support your points
Evaluate the theory by discussing both strengths and limitations
Apply the theory to real-world examples of obedience

Quick Revision Summary

Agency Theory explains obedience through two mental states: agentic (following orders) and autonomous (self-directed)
The agentic shift occurs when we enter an environment with legitimate authority, institutional context and clear social expectations
In the agentic state, people shift responsibility to the authority figure
Buffers against obedience include distance from authority and peer support
The theory helps explain both historical atrocities and everyday compliance

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