Defining social psychology

Social psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on how our behaviour is shaped by the social environment around us. This includes influences from other people, groups, and cultural norms. Unlike other areas of psychology, social psychology places less emphasis on biological factors. Our thoughts and feelings are strongly influenced by the social setting in which we find ourselves and we will behave in ways we perceive as being consistent with the social setting.

Methods used in social psychology research

Social psychologists often choose research methods that capture real-world behaviours, allowing findings to apply broadly to individuals, groups, and cultures.

Examples of research methods:

• Surveys - These involve asking people questions about their thoughts, feelings, or behaviours in social situations, often through questionnaires or interviews.
• Field experiments - These are studies conducted in natural, everyday environments rather than controlled labs, to observe how social factors influence behaviour in realistic settings.

Understanding obedience

Obedience occurs when someone follows a direct command from another person, typically someone in a position of authority. This is a type of social influence, where the individual carries out an action they might not otherwise perform without the order. A key aspect is the power dynamic involved, with the person giving the order holding higher status or authority than the one receiving it.

Why obedience matters in social psychology

Obedience helps maintain order in groups and societies, but it can also lead to negative outcomes if authority figures issue harmful commands. Social psychologists study obedience to understand how and why people relinquish their autonomy in response to authority, which can explain phenomena ranging from everyday compliance to extreme historical events.

Milgram's agency theory

Agency theory, proposed by Stanley Milgram, explains why people obey authority figures. The theory argues that obedience is essential for keeping human society stable and organised. Without it, chaos could arise from widespread disobedience. According to Milgram, we are taught to obey from a young age, which prepares us to follow rules and authority in adulthood.

The theory introduces two mental states that people can enter, which influence their level of personal responsibility and willingness to obey.

The two states in agency theory

• Autonomous state - In this state, individuals act according to their own free will and personal values, taking full responsibility for their actions. They make decisions independently, without external pressure overriding their choices.
• Agentic state - Here, people see themselves as agents carrying out the wishes of an authority figure, often at the expense of their own desires. They shift responsibility to the authority, believing that the person giving orders will bear the consequences.

Transitioning to the agentic state requires perceiving the authority as legitimate, meaning the person giving orders must appear credible and willing to accept responsibility for the outcomes.

Socialisation and the agentic state

From childhood, we are socialised - gradually taught the norms and behaviours of society - to enter the agentic state. This process begins with obeying parents and teachers, who represent early authority figures. We learn to follow rules and act as agents within a social structure, which trains us for later life.

As adults, this socialisation extends to obeying employers, laws, and other authorities. Milgram suggested that by giving up some free will to follow these rules, we help prevent disorder and maintain a stable society. Disobedience, in this view, could lead to chaos if everyone prioritised personal wishes over collective order.

Moral strain in obedience

Even when in the agentic state, individuals may experience moral strain, which is the internal conflict arising from carrying out orders that clash with their own ethics. This creates a web of obligation, where the person feels bound to obey due to the authority's status, but they do not necessarily agree with or want to perform the action.