Scribd
Upload
20 views2 pages

Evaluation of Agency Theory

Agency Theory, proposed by Milgram, explains the dual states of human behavior: the autonomous state, where individuals act on their own principles, and the agentic state, where they see themselves as executing orders from authority figures. While it provides valuable insights into obedience and historical atrocities, the theory faces ethical concerns from its supporting research and a reductionist approach that overlooks other influencing factors. A balanced view is necessary, integrating Agency Theory with other frameworks to fully understand human behavior in social contexts.

Uploaded by

Lizzy Cheng
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
20 views2 pages

Evaluation of Agency Theory

Agency Theory, proposed by Milgram, explains the dual states of human behavior: the autonomous state, where individuals act on their own principles, and the agentic state, where they see themselves as executing orders from authority figures. While it provides valuable insights into obedience and historical atrocities, the theory faces ethical concerns from its supporting research and a reductionist approach that overlooks other influencing factors. A balanced view is necessary, integrating Agency Theory with other frameworks to fully understand human behavior in social contexts.

Uploaded by

Lizzy Cheng
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Evaluation of Agency Theory

Definition:
 Agency Theory: Proposed by Milgram, it suggests that people operate
in two states: the autonomous state, where they act according to their
own principles, and the agentic state, where they see themselves as
agents executing the orders of an authority figure, thus absolving
themselves of responsibility for their actions.
Key Components:
1. Autonomous State: Individuals act based on their own values and
take responsibility for their actions.
2. Agentic State: Individuals see themselves as instruments carrying out
another person's orders, thus not feeling personally responsible for
their actions.
3. Agentic Shift: The transition from an autonomous state to an agentic
state, often triggered by the presence of an authority figure.
Supporting Evidence:
1. Milgram's Obedience Study (1963):
o Findings: Many participants administered potentially lethal
electric shocks to a learner when instructed by an authority
figure, demonstrating the shift to the agentic state.
o Strength: Provides empirical support for agency theory by
illustrating how individuals follow orders even when it conflicts
with their personal morals.
2. Real-life Examples:
o The My Lai Massacre: Soldiers followed orders to commit
atrocities during the Vietnam War, later defending their actions
by claiming they were "just following orders," supporting the
idea of the agentic state.
Strengths of Agency Theory:
1. Explanatory Power:
o Helps explain why people comply with authority figures, even to
the extent of committing unethical acts.
o Provides insight into historical events involving atrocities and
obedience to authority.
2. Application to Real-life Situations:
o Can be used to understand behaviors in military, organizational,
and institutional settings where hierarchy and authority are
prevalent.
o Useful in designing interventions to reduce blind obedience in
harmful situations by promoting awareness of personal
responsibility.
Weaknesses of Agency Theory:
1. Ethical Concerns in Supporting Research:
o Milgram's study, while supportive, raised significant ethical
issues, including deception and psychological harm to
participants.
o The ethical shortcomings of the study limit the extent to which
its findings can be generalized and accepted without scrutiny.
2. Reductionist Approach:
o Agency theory simplifies complex human behavior to a binary
state of autonomy and agency, potentially overlooking other
influencing factors such as personality, cultural background, and
situational variables.
o Does not account for individual differences in susceptibility to
authority influence, such as personality traits and prior
experiences.
3. Limited Consideration of Other Theories:
o Competing theories, such as Social Impact Theory and Social
Identity Theory, offer alternative explanations for obedience and
conformity that involve more nuanced social and psychological
processes.
o Social Impact Theory suggests that factors like the strength,
immediacy, and number of authority figures affect obedience,
providing a broader perspective.
Conclusion:
 Balanced View: While agency theory provides a foundational
understanding of obedience and the impact of authority figures on
behavior, it is essential to consider it alongside other theories and
research to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of human
behavior in social contexts.
 Application and Ethics: Its practical applications in understanding
and mitigating harmful obedience are valuable, but ethical
considerations in research supporting the theory must be addressed to
enhance its credibility and acceptance.

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy