Obedience (human behavior)

4242_-_Venezia_-_Palazzo_ducale_-_Capitello_28_-_Obediencia_Dno_exireo_-_Foto_Giovanni_Dall'Orto,_30-Jul-2008

Russian_paratroopers_in_Kazakhstan

== Obedience (human behavior) ==

Obedience is a form of social influence where an individual acts in response to a direct order from another individual, who is usually an authority figure. It is distinguished from compliance (behavior influenced by peers) and conformity (behavior intended to match that of the majority). Obedience is a crucial aspect of social structure and organization, as it helps maintain order and predictability in society.

Historical Context

The study of obedience became particularly prominent in the mid-20th century, largely due to the work of Stanley Milgram, a psychologist at Yale University. Milgram's experiments in the 1960s demonstrated the extent to which individuals would follow orders from an authority figure, even when those orders involved harming another person. These findings were significant in understanding the behavior of individuals in Nazi Germany during World War II.

Psychological Mechanisms

Obedience involves several psychological mechanisms, including:

• **Authority:** The presence of an authority figure can significantly increase obedience. Authority figures are often perceived as having legitimate power and knowledge.
• **Socialization:** Individuals are socialized from a young age to obey authority figures, such as parents, teachers, and law enforcement.
• **Situational Factors:** The context in which orders are given can influence obedience. For example, the physical presence of an authority figure, the legitimacy of the authority, and the proximity of the victim can all affect levels of obedience.

Factors Influencing Obedience

Several factors can influence the degree of obedience, including:

• **Legitimacy of Authority:** The perceived legitimacy of the authority figure can increase obedience. Uniforms, titles, and institutional affiliations can enhance perceived legitimacy.
• **Group Pressure:** The presence of others who obey can increase an individual's likelihood of obeying.
• **Moral Disengagement:** Individuals may obey orders that conflict with their personal morals if they can disengage from the moral implications of their actions.

Ethical Considerations

The study of obedience raises significant ethical questions, particularly regarding the potential for harm to participants in psychological experiments. The American Psychological Association (APA) and other organizations have established ethical guidelines to protect participants in such studies.

Applications

Understanding obedience has practical applications in various fields, including:

• **Military:** Training and command structures rely heavily on obedience to function effectively.
• **Law Enforcement:** Police and other law enforcement agencies depend on obedience to maintain order and enforce laws.
• **Education:** Teachers and educational institutions use authority to manage classrooms and ensure compliance with rules and regulations.

See Also

• Authority
• Conformity
• Compliance
• Social influence
• Stanley Milgram
• Milgram experiment
• Nazi Germany
• World War II