Re-consent participants if the study design or procedures change significantly. Be mindful of power dynamics and prioritize participant well-being, privacy, and confidentiality throughout the research process. Milgram (1963, 1965, 1974) wanted to know why so many otherwise decent German citizens went along with the brutality of the Nazi leaders during the Holocaust so he conducted a series of laboratory investigations. In his now famous deception study, Milgram found that 65% of research participants were willing to administer, what they believed were, 330-volt electric shocks to a fellow research participant despite hearing cries and protests. No one was hurt or injured during this study, the research participant receiving the electric shocks was a confederate – part of the study – but the actual research participants did not know this.

The Concept of Obedience in Psychology

Building upon the foundation set by historical research into obedience, let’s explore some real-life examples that can help us better understand how authority figures can significantly impact individual actions. The legitimacy of the authority plays an important role in how much an individual will obey the orders. If the authority is legitimate that is someone who is well known in that fieldsthen people demonstrate higher obedience.

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Evidence indicates that when therapy is administered online, it can be just as effective as in-person therapy. As research into obedience continues, more light may be shed on the unique differences between individuals’ tendencies to obey. When a person of authority, in this case, the professor, persuaded people to administer the shock, most were obedient, even when it conflicted with their moral values and ethics.

Scene 1 – the teacher asks the students to keep quiet and sits in the classroom itselfScene 2 – the teacher asks the students to maintain silence and leaves the classroom. Therapy may enable you to explore your relationship with authority and obedience, among other topics. It’s important to use critical thinking to avoid potential consequences when making a decision to obey demands or not.

Zimbardo’s experiment

Explore the definition of obedience in psychology, its characteristics, and how obedience plays out in everyday life. Milgram’s studies involved placing participants in a room and directing them to deliver electrical shocks to a “learner” located in another room. Unbeknownst to the participant, the person supposedly receiving the shocks was actually in on the experiment and was merely acting out responses to imaginary shocks. During the 1950s, psychologist Stanley Milgram became intrigued with the conformity experiments performed by Solomon Asch.

It represents the legitimate power that one individual or group holds over another, often conditioning the latter to follow directives without resistance. Authority can be formal, such as a police officer or a teacher, or it can be informal, such as a charismatic leader or an influential person within a social group. Obedience is the act of following the commands or orders of an authority figure, even if it goes against one’s own moral judgment or beliefs. However, it was not until the 20th century that obedience garnered significant attention as a distinct area of empirical study within social psychology. Pioneering experiments by researchers such as Stanley Milgram shed light on the extent to which individuals are willing to obey authoritative commands, even at the expense of their own moral judgments.

People refer to obeying the law or obeying the word of God, but in neither situation is a direct order required. For example, we don’t typically need an authority figure such as a police officer to order us to drive on the correct side of road or to refrain from leaving a store without paying for our goods. Indeed, for a society to function smoothly, it is necessary that people are able to go about their daily lives without authority having to be exercised directly in the form of explicit… We can say that – legitimacy of the authority is one of the factors that influence obedience of an individual.

Understanding the differences and connections between these terms helps us better understand the complexities of human behavior in social contexts. The initial research was conducted using male participants but Milgram found that women participants followed the experimenter’s instructions at exactly the same rate that the men had. Cross cultural studies of obedience found rates of obedience similar to those of Milgram. The United States had an obedience rate of 61% and the mean across other cultures was about 66%. Some countries had much lower rates of obedience (India reported 42% and Spain reported about 50%) while some countries had much higher rates of obedience (Germany and Austria reported about 80%) (Blass, 2011). Culture and social norms shape perspectives of authority, obedience and interact with individual decision making.

Lifestyle

Compliance entails modifying one’s behavior under social pressure, while conformity is about adhering to group norms. obedience psychology definition Young humans often emulate adult behavior, adhering to established social norms to feel secure and accepted. Overall, obedience encapsulates the social response to explicit orders, maintaining order and structure in various aspects of life. Although other fields have studied obedience, social psychology has been primarily responsible for the advancement of research on obedience.

For example, if a researcher covertly videotapes behavior in a public park as part of an experiment, they would need to destroy any footage of anyone who later does not consent when debriefed. All materials on this website are for the exclusive use of teachers and pupils of psychology . Any unauthorised copying or posting of material from this site is a copyright infringement and could result in legal action being taken against you. Research suggests that prayer can positively impact mental health, including alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression. Prayer is a foundational practice in many spiritual traditions, often interwoven with themes of obedience. Therapists may incorporate aspects of discipleship models into treatment strategies, especially when collaborating with clients who hold strong spiritual beliefs.

Life and Legacy of Psychologist James Flynn

• Authority, on the other hand, is the foundation of obedience, as it represents the power that influences individuals to follow instructions without questioning or resisting.
• Obedience to authority has historically been an important topic of scientific investigation in social psychology and sociology.
• Milgram had set out to explore the question, “Are Germans different?” In other words, he wondered if perhaps there were some factors at work that had made German citizens obey orders more than others might.
• Obedience and discernment are often nurtured through prayer practices, aiding individuals in making decisions that resonate with their spiritual values and beliefs.

In these situations where it isn’t as clear what to do, you might consider the pros and cons of each or go with your gut feeling. Another 2017 replication conducted by researcher in Poland found that 90% of people were willing to go to the highest voltage level.

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This involves providing potential participants with clear details about the study’s purpose, procedures, duration, potential benefits, and any risks or discomfort that might be involved​. Destructive obedience can lead to grave psychological and societal repercussions. This sense of duty can arise from societal norms, personal morals, or religious convictions.

• When you know that whatever action you are obeying will not have any significant impact on your own life you are likely to be more obedient.
• Obedience distinguishes itself from compliance, which relates to peer influence, as it strictly pertains to commands from perceived authority figures.
• Milgram’s experiments demonstrated the extent to which individuals are willing to obey authority figures, even when it involves causing harm to others.
• In psychology, obedience symbolizes a person’s compliance with authority figures, shaped by hierarchy and the power dynamics in play.
• Overall, Milgram’s research sheds light on the complexities of obedience and the various factors determining compliance in social contexts.

According to an Austrian study from 2015, obedience can be defined as a willingness to accommodate the demands of social norms or formal laws given by legitimate authorities. Building this understanding may also help people better recognize abuses of power and find ways to better promote responsible, ethical behavior. While 65% of the participants followed orders, it is essential to note that the statistics only apply to one study variation. In other trials, fewer people were willing to go through with the shocks, and in some cases, every participant refused to follow orders. Where obedience relies on direct orders, the perceived status and power of the person giving those orders, conformity is more about fitting in with the group. People obey because they are commanded to, but conform because they want to gain approval from their peers.

Lucy has been a part of Save My Exams since 2024 and is responsible for all things Psychology & Social Science in her role as Subject Lead. Prior to this, Lucy taught for 5 years, including Computing (KS3), Geography (KS3 & GCSE) and Psychology A Level as a Subject Lead for 4 years. Outside of the classroom, she has provided pastoral support for hundreds of boarding students over a four year period as a boarding house tutor.

Rules may be established for the greater good of a family, organization, or society. Still, the psychology of obedience can be nuanced and has been extensively studied, particularly the concept of destructive obedience, which can refer to following orders that may harm your own or others’ well-being. If you’ve noticed that you may be prone to destructive obedience, speaking with a licensed therapist may enable you to get to the root of this tendency and address it accordingly. Obedience includes considering social context, the authority and power of others, and personal morals and values. While situational factors are crucial in understanding obedience, dispositional (personality) factors also play a role.

It was this unsettling side of obedience that led to some of the most famous and most controversial research in the history of psychology. Obedience refers to the act of doing what one is told promptly, with a positive attitude, and without reminders. It embodies respectful behavior that adheres to rules and laws, valued by parents, educators, and law enforcement. The term encompasses various definitions, primarily emphasizing compliance with commands from authority figures.

Social pressure that involves an individual acting according to the orders given by an authority figure. These actions are something that the person would not have taken by himself unless someone with authority or influence tells him to do it. Some of the daily life examples of obedience are –You stopping at the red signal or turning in your assignment on time.