Obedience

Definition

Obedience is a form of social influence where individuals comply with the commands or instructions of an authority figure. This concept is crucial in understanding how people follow rules and regulations within social contexts, often leading to both positive and negative outcomes. It links closely with other types of social influence, highlighting the dynamics between authority and individual behavior, which can vary based on factors such as group pressure, cultural norms, and situational contexts.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Milgram's study on obedience showed that people were willing to administer what they believed were harmful electric shocks to others when instructed by an authority figure.
2. Factors influencing obedience include the perceived legitimacy of the authority figure, the proximity of the authority to the subject, and the location of the study.
3. Obedience can have both positive effects, like following laws for societal order, and negative consequences, such as participating in unethical actions under authority pressure.
4. Cultural differences play a significant role in obedience levels, with collectivist cultures often demonstrating higher levels of obedience to authority compared to individualist cultures.
5. Situational variables, such as group dynamics and social context, can significantly affect an individual's likelihood to obey commands.

Review Questions

• How does obedience differ from conformity and compliance in terms of social influence?
  • Obedience is specifically about following commands from an authority figure, while conformity involves changing one’s behavior or beliefs to match those of a group. Compliance is a more general term that describes agreeing to requests made by others without necessarily involving authority. Each form of influence varies in its source—authority for obedience, group norms for conformity, and direct requests for compliance.
• What situational factors were found to impact levels of obedience in Milgram's experiments?
  • In Milgram's studies, several situational factors significantly impacted levels of obedience. These included the perceived legitimacy of the authority figure—participants were more likely to obey when they believed the experimenter was credible. The proximity of the authority figure also played a role; participants were less obedient when they could see the person receiving shocks. Additionally, variations in location affected obedience rates; a prestigious setting led to higher compliance compared to a less formal environment.
• Evaluate how cultural differences influence obedience and provide examples from different cultures.
  • Cultural differences significantly influence obedience levels due to varying societal norms regarding authority. For instance, collectivist cultures such as Japan tend to promote respect for authority and group harmony, resulting in higher rates of obedience compared to individualist cultures like the United States, where questioning authority may be more acceptable. Studies have shown that individuals from collectivist societies are more likely to comply with authority figures due to ingrained values emphasizing group cohesion and deference to established structures.

Related terms

Conformity:

Conformity is the act of matching attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors to group norms or expectations, often driven by social pressure.

Compliance:

Compliance refers to the act of agreeing to a request or following a directive from another individual or group, often without questioning the legitimacy of the request.

Authority:

Authority refers to the power or right of an individual or organization to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience.