Ever wondered why people follow orders, even when they don't...
Psychology411 views·Updated 29 Jul 2026·3 pagesUnderstanding Obedience in Psychology
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Understanding Obedience: Two States of Mind
Your brain operates in two different modes when it comes to following orders. In the agentic state, you're essentially on autopilot - following someone else's commands even if they make you uncomfortable. Think of it like being a remote-controlled car where someone else holds the controller.
The autonomous state is the complete opposite. Here, you're in the driver's seat, making your own decisions and taking responsibility for your actions. Most of the time, you switch between these states without even realising it.
Culture plays a massive role in which state you're more likely to adopt. Countries like Spain and Italy value putting the group before yourself, so people there are more likely to slip into the agentic state and follow orders. Meanwhile, in places like the UK and USA, independence is celebrated, making people more likely to stay autonomous.
Quick Tip: Notice how proximity affects obedience too - you're much more likely to follow your teacher's instructions when they're standing right next to you than when they've popped out of the classroom!
2
of 3
Authority Figures and Personality Types
Authority figures have some clever tricks up their sleeves to make you more obedient. Milgram's famous study showed that people are more likely to follow orders when they see someone as legitimate authority. This happens through uniforms, official settings, professional introductions, and technical language that makes someone seem expert.
The magic moment when you shift from being independent to following orders is called an agentic shift. It's like switching from manual to automatic mode in your brain.
Adorno's authoritarian personality theory suggests some people are naturally more obedient than others. These individuals tend to stick rigidly to traditional beliefs, resist change, respect higher authority, and look down on people they see as beneath them. According to Adorno, this personality often develops from having strict, critical parents during childhood.
Reality Check: People with authoritarian personalities prefer established routines and traditional values - think of that one teacher who never changes their lesson plan!
3
of 3
Problems with Personality-Based Theories
Adorno's theory sounds convincing, but it's got some serious flaws that you need to know about for your exams. The biggest issue is lack of reliable evidence - his questionnaire was biased because people who naturally said "yes" to questions scored higher for authoritarian traits, regardless of their actual personality.
The research only shows correlation, not causation. Just because someone has an authoritarian personality and is obedient doesn't mean one causes the other. A third factor, like education level, might influence both traits simultaneously.
Here's the real kicker: the theory can't explain mass obedience. If personality alone determined obedience, then millions of Germans during WWII would have needed identical upbringings and personalities. That's simply impossible, suggesting that social situations matter more than individual personality traits.
Exam Tip: Remember that obedience results from both social factors (proximity, authority, culture) and dispositional factors (personality) working together - it's never just one or the other!
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Psychology411 views·Updated 29 Jul 2026·3 pagesUnderstanding Obedience in Psychology
Ever wondered why people follow orders, even when they don't really want to? Obedience is a fascinating part of psychology that explains how we respond to authority figures in our daily lives. Understanding what makes us obey can help you...
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Understanding Obedience: Two States of Mind
Your brain operates in two different modes when it comes to following orders. In the agentic state, you're essentially on autopilot - following someone else's commands even if they make you uncomfortable. Think of it like being a remote-controlled car where someone else holds the controller.
The autonomous state is the complete opposite. Here, you're in the driver's seat, making your own decisions and taking responsibility for your actions. Most of the time, you switch between these states without even realising it.
Culture plays a massive role in which state you're more likely to adopt. Countries like Spain and Italy value putting the group before yourself, so people there are more likely to slip into the agentic state and follow orders. Meanwhile, in places like the UK and USA, independence is celebrated, making people more likely to stay autonomous.
Quick Tip: Notice how proximity affects obedience too - you're much more likely to follow your teacher's instructions when they're standing right next to you than when they've popped out of the classroom!
2
of 3Sign up to see the content. It's free!
- Access to all documents
- Improve your grades
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Authority Figures and Personality Types
Authority figures have some clever tricks up their sleeves to make you more obedient. Milgram's famous study showed that people are more likely to follow orders when they see someone as legitimate authority. This happens through uniforms, official settings, professional introductions, and technical language that makes someone seem expert.
The magic moment when you shift from being independent to following orders is called an agentic shift. It's like switching from manual to automatic mode in your brain.
Adorno's authoritarian personality theory suggests some people are naturally more obedient than others. These individuals tend to stick rigidly to traditional beliefs, resist change, respect higher authority, and look down on people they see as beneath them. According to Adorno, this personality often develops from having strict, critical parents during childhood.
Reality Check: People with authoritarian personalities prefer established routines and traditional values - think of that one teacher who never changes their lesson plan!
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of 3Sign up to see the content. It's free!
- Access to all documents
- Improve your grades
- Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Problems with Personality-Based Theories
Adorno's theory sounds convincing, but it's got some serious flaws that you need to know about for your exams. The biggest issue is lack of reliable evidence - his questionnaire was biased because people who naturally said "yes" to questions scored higher for authoritarian traits, regardless of their actual personality.
The research only shows correlation, not causation. Just because someone has an authoritarian personality and is obedient doesn't mean one causes the other. A third factor, like education level, might influence both traits simultaneously.
Here's the real kicker: the theory can't explain mass obedience. If personality alone determined obedience, then millions of Germans during WWII would have needed identical upbringings and personalities. That's simply impossible, suggesting that social situations matter more than individual personality traits.
Exam Tip: Remember that obedience results from both social factors (proximity, authority, culture) and dispositional factors (personality) working together - it's never just one or the other!
We thought you’d never ask...
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
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Students love us — and so will you.
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