Obedience and Compliance

Section: Understanding Obedience and Compliance

  • Obedience is a form of social influence where individuals follow instructions or rules given by an authority figure.
  • Contrarily, compliance refers to individuals adapting their behaviour in response to a request from others, including those not in authority.
  • Both obedience and compliance play fundamental roles in maintaining discipline and order in Uniformed Protective Services.
  • Factors influencing obedience and compliance include authoritative pressure, social acceptance and the desire for harmony within a team or unit.

Section: Milgram’s Obedience Experiment

  • The concept of obedience was notably explored by psychologist Stanley Milgram, who conducted an experiment to test how far individuals would follow authority, even when it conflicted with their personal conscience.
  • Milgram’s experiment revealed that under certain circumstances, people are more likely to obey, demonstrating the power of authority and situation in governing behaviour.

Section: Asch’s Conformity Study

  • Solomon Asch’s conformity studies acknowledged compliance as a powerful force in social situations where individuals modify their views or behaviours to fit in with a group.
  • Asch’s experiments highlight the significance of group influence and peer pressure in encouraging compliant behaviour.

Section: Practical Applications in Uniformed Protective Services

  • Within Uniformed Protective Services, obedience to authority figures such as superiors is not just appreciated but often essential for operational effectiveness and safety.
  • Compliance, particularly with guidelines, protocols, and team consensus, is also important to maintain discipline and achieve shared objectives.
  • Understanding the balance between obedience/compliance and personal judgement is crucial. It ensures that authority is respected, but not mindlessly followed when it contradicts ethics or moral judgement.
  • Training programmes within these services aim at fostering the right balance, encouraging both obedience and critical thinking when necessary.