WHat two states does agency theory suggest we live in?
Autonomous and Agentic.
2 of 15
What is the autonomous state?
When we act as individuals of our own free will. We make our own descisions and take responsibility for our own actions, and follow our own social rules.
3 of 15
What is the agentic state?
Where we give up our own free will to follow an authority figure. We are an 'agent' of the authority figure, they take responsibility for our actions.
4 of 15
What is an example of people being in the agentic state?
Nazi soldiers
5 of 15
When does moral strain occur?
When we follow orders to do something that we believe is immoral.
6 of 15
What is used when we experience moral strain?
Defence machanisims, e.g repressionand denial to avoig tasks we would find difficult.
7 of 15
When does the theory suggest that we are socialised into the agentic state?
From a young age by our parents.
8 of 15
Why does the theory suggest that we might have evolved into the agentic state?
It avoids conflict, enables a smooth running of society.
9 of 15
What are two supporting studies of agency theory?
Milgram's 1963 study and Hofling et al 1966
10 of 15
How does Milgram 1963 support/not support agency theory?
It found that 65% ppts obeyed to give another person electric shocks, up to 450v, some had seizures. It supports the idea of moral strain. However some ppts refused to go on.
11 of 15
How does Hofling et al. 1966 support/not support agency theory?
Nurses would displace personal responsibility and justify their behaviour to following orders. It supports the idea of agentic state. However, half of the nurses didn't realise the dosage was over the max so didn't experience moral strain.
12 of 15
What is an alternative theory to agency theory and why is it different?
Adorno's authoritarian personality theory, which suggests that a personality type can make people more/less likely to obey. It is different because agency theory suggests that behaviour causes people to obey.
13 of 15
What is a strength of agency theory?
It can be used to explain real life events, such as the My Lai massacre, as responsibility went to the officers.
14 of 15
What are two weaknesses of Agency Theory?
It doesn't explain individual differences, e.g why some people obey or don't. The concept of autonomy or agency are difficult to measure, becasue agency theory is a state of mind.
15 of 15
Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
WHat two states does agency theory suggest we live in?
Back
Autonomous and Agentic.
Card 3
Front
What is the autonomous state?
Back
Card 4
Front
What is the agentic state?
Back
Card 5
Front
What is an example of people being in the agentic state?
Comments
No comments have yet been made