Evaluating situational explanations of obedience - Legitimacy of Authority.

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Evaluating situational explanations of obedience - Legitimacy of Authority.

Advantages

  • Explains cultural differences - Kilham and Mann (Australia) found that 16% of female participants would use the 450V shock, but Mantell (Germany) found 85% would carry out the same order. This shows that in some cultures, authority is seen as more legitimate and is therefore more likely to be obeyed. This reflects differences in societal norms.
  • My Lai - supports the legitimacy of authority theory. American soldiers murdered a village in Vietnam. The only soldier put on trial said he was only obeying orders. Commanding officers had the right to punish those who did not obey. Shows legitimacy of authority and obedience to commit atrocious acts.

Disadvantages

  • Does not explain all (dis)obedience - does not explain obedience, or lack of, in a hierarchy in which legitimacy of authority is widely accepted. Rank and Jacobsen’s nurse study showed differences in obedience in nurses all working together under the same doctor. This suggests the importance of individual or dispositions factors.

Evaluation

Overall the legitimacy of authority can explain some situations of obedience. It allows us to understand differences between cultures and who is more susceptible to obey authority. We can also apply this to historical scenarios such as the My Lai massacre and the Holocaust. However, the legitimacy of authority cannot be accepted in a situation in which the legitimate authority is clear and accepted. 

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