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Obedience definitions

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  • Obedience
    A behavioral shift prompted by the presence or demands of an authority figure, especially in ambiguous or novel situations.
  • Authority Figure
    An individual perceived as having legitimate power or control, often shaping norms and influencing compliance.
  • Stanley Milgram
    A psychologist whose landmark studies revealed the extent to which people comply with instructions from perceived superiors.
  • Confederate
    A trained actor embedded in research to play a specific role, unbeknownst to participants, to maintain experimental realism.
  • Experimenter
    The person conducting research, often embodying the role of the authority and guiding participant actions.
  • Shock Box
    A device used in research settings to simulate the administration of electric shocks, enhancing the believability of the procedure.
  • Norms
    Shared expectations or rules within a group that guide and standardize behavior, often reinforced by those in power.
  • Compliance
    The act of conforming to requests or demands, particularly from those perceived as holding legitimate authority.
  • Perceived Authority
    The extent to which someone is seen as having legitimate power, often influenced by appearance, setting, or demeanor.
  • Ethical Implications
    Moral considerations arising from research or actions, especially regarding participant welfare and informed consent.
  • Replication
    The process of repeating a study to verify findings, often with different populations or settings to test reliability.
  • Yale Campus
    The prestigious university setting where the original obedience studies were conducted, enhancing the authority of the research.
  • Disagreement
    A situation in which authority figures provide conflicting instructions, often reducing compliance among participants.
  • Participant
    An individual who takes part in a research study, often unaware of the true purpose or manipulations involved.
  • Amoral Acts
    Behaviors lacking moral consideration, sometimes carried out under the influence of authority or social pressure.