Psychology · Year 11 · Social Influence · 3.º Período

Obedience and Authority

An investigation into obedience, focusing on Milgram's agency theory and Adorno's authoritarian personality. Students will discuss the ethical implications of obedience research.

TL;DR:Obedience involves following the direct orders of an authority figure. This topic covers Stanley Milgram’s controversial research and his 'Agency Theory', which suggests we move from an autonomous state to an agentic state when we perceive someone else as responsible for our actions. Students also explore Adorno’s 'Authoritarian Personality' as a dispositional explanation for why some people are naturally more submissive to authority.

• National Curriculum Attainment Targets
• AQA GCSE Psychology 3.2.1.3 Obedience
• AQA GCSE Psychology 3.2.1.4 Explanations of obedience

About This Topic

Obedience involves following the direct orders of an authority figure. This topic covers Stanley Milgram’s controversial research and his 'Agency Theory', which suggests we move from an autonomous state to an agentic state when we perceive someone else as responsible for our actions. Students also explore Adorno’s 'Authoritarian Personality' as a dispositional explanation for why some people are naturally more submissive to authority.

In the context of British history and global events, this topic is vital for understanding how ordinary people can commit extraordinary acts. It raises profound ethical questions about the limits of psychological research. Active learning through structured debates and role-plays helps students navigate these sensitive issues, allowing them to explore the tension between personal conscience and social duty without the risks of the original experiments.

Key Questions

1. Why do people obey authority figures?
2. What is the agentic state?
3. How does an authoritarian personality develop?

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Milgram’s participants were 'evil' or 'monsters'.

What to Teach Instead

The participants were ordinary people; the study showed that the *situation* was the primary driver of their behaviour. Using the 'agentic state' concept in role-plays helps students see how anyone can lose their sense of individual responsibility.

Common Misconception

Obedience and conformity are the same thing.

What to Teach Instead

Obedience is following a direct order from an authority figure, while conformity is following the unspoken pressure of a peer group. A simple Venn diagram activity can help students distinguish these two social influences.

Active Learning Ideas

Formal Debate

The Ethics of Milgram

Divide the class into two sides: one arguing that Milgram’s study was ethically unjustifiable due to deception and harm, and the other arguing that the findings were so important for society that the ends justified the means.

40 min·Whole Class

Role Play

The Agentic Shift

Students act out a scenario where an 'authority figure' (a teacher or boss) gives an increasingly unusual order. The 'subordinate' must narrate their internal thoughts, identifying the exact moment they feel they are no longer responsible for their actions.

30 min·Pairs

Gallery Walk

The Authoritarian Personality

Stations around the room display traits of the Authoritarian Personality (e.g., obsession with status, rigid thinking). Students move in groups to find real-world or fictional examples of characters who fit these traits and discuss how they were raised.

30 min·Small Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 'agentic state'?

The agentic state is a mental state where an individual feels they are acting as an 'agent' for an authority figure. Because they believe the authority figure is responsible for the consequences, they no longer feel guilty for their own actions.

Why did Milgram’s study cause an ethical outcry?

Participants were deceived about the true nature of the study, they were not given a clear right to withdraw, and many suffered significant psychological distress believing they had actually harmed another person.

What are the characteristics of an authoritarian personality?

According to Adorno, these individuals show extreme respect for authority, are very submissive to those in power, and are often hostile toward those they perceive as 'inferior' or different from themselves.

How can active learning help students understand obedience?

Active learning allows students to safely explore the 'why' behind obedience. Through structured debates and role-plays, they can dissect the pressure of the 'agentic shift' and the influence of situational factors like proximity. This makes the complex theories of Milgram and Adorno much more accessible and helps students develop the critical thinking skills needed for high-level evaluation in their exams.