Factors affecting Obedience

Factors affecting Obedience

Proximity

• Physical proximity: When the authority figure is in close physical presence to the subject, obedience tends to increase.
• Psychological proximity: The closer the psychological relationship or empathy with an authority figure, the higher the obedience.

Status and Preliminary Obedience

• Perceived authority: The perceived legitimacy and status of the authority figure influences obedience. Higher status usually leads to higher obedience.
• Initial compliance: Once a person has started obeying, they often find it harder to stop. This is known as the foot-in-the-door phenomenon.

Group Influence

• Peer pressure: It is harder for individuals to go against group consensus, which can lead to higher levels of obedience when not isolated.
• Role: People tend to obey more when they are following an established societal or group role.

Personal Characteristics

• Authoritarian personality: People with this personality type are more likely to obey orders from those they perceive as authority figures.
• Moral reasoning: Those who have a lower level of moral reasoning, or those who are able to put aside their own morals, may be more likely to obey.

Power and Control

• Coercion: Using force or threatened force can increase obedience levels.
• Reward and punishment: The threat of punishment and promise of reward can be powerful tools in generating obedience.

Situational Factors

• Escalating commitment: Once obedience has begun, it can continue through a process called escalating commitment.
• Lack of social support: Without social support or the presence of a dissenting voice, obedience can increase.