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LESSON 1-4 Lesson 1: Understanding the Power of AuthorityLearning Objectives By the end of this lesson, students will: Define the principle of authority in social influence.Explain the psychological

LESSON 1-4 

Lesson 1: Understanding the Power of AuthorityLearning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

  • Define the principle of authority in social influence.
  • Explain the psychological mechanisms behind obedience to authority.
  • Identify historical and modern examples of authority-based compliance.
  • Analyze Milgram’s obedience experiment and its implications.
  • Discuss ethical concerns related to authority-driven influence.

Lesson Content: Definition, Context, and Applications of AuthorityDefinition and Overview

Authority is a fundamental principle in social influence, shaping behaviors in various contexts. Key reasons people obey authority figures include:

  • Social Conditioning – Individuals are taught from an early age to respect and comply with authority.
  • Perceived Expertise – Authority figures are assumed to possess superior knowledge or skills.
  • Power and Consequences – Authorities often have the ability to reward or punish.

Milgram’s Obedience Experiment

  • Conducted by Stanley Milgram in the 1960s to examine obedience to authority.
  • Participants were instructed to administer increasing levels of electric shock to a “learner” (who was actually an actor and not receiving real shocks).
  • Despite apparent visible suffering, 65% of participants in the original study continued to the maximum shock level.
  • The experiment demonstrated how people follow authority even against their moral judgment.

Modern Applications of Authority Influence

  • Medical Field: Healthcare professionals sometimes follow orders without question, which can lead to medical errors.
  • Law Enforcement: Public compliance with police orders, even when they seem unreasonable.
  • Corporate Influence: Executives influence employees and investors through their perceived expertise.

Interactive Activity: Fill-in-the-Blanks

Complete the following sentences based on the lesson:

  1. Stanley Milgram’s experiment tested obedience to ______ figures.
  2. In the experiment, participants administered increasingly severe ______ shocks to a learner.
  3. One reason people obey authority is the assumption of ______, meaning they believe the authority figure has superior knowledge.
  4. In Milgram’s study, ______% of participants continued to the maximum shock level, despite the learner’s distress.
  5. An ethical concern raised about the experiment was the use of ______, as participants were not fully informed of the study’s true purpose.

Reflection Prompt

Think of a time when you followed an instruction from an authority figure, even if you felt uncertain. What motivated your compliance? Would you act differently today?

Supplementary Video

Watch: “The Milgram Experiment Explained” (Yale University) to an external site.This video provides a scholarly breakdown of Milgram’s experiment and its implications.

AssessmentMultiple Choice Questions

Why do people typically obey authority figures?

  • A) They fear punishment
  • B) They assume authorities have expertise
  • C) They want to avoid social interactions
  • D) They distrust their own judgment

What was a key finding of Milgram’s experiment?

  • A) People resist authority if they feel it is unjust
  • B) Many people will obey harmful orders if given by an authority figure
  • C) People enjoy causing harm to others
  • D) The study proved obedience is rare in modern society

Which of the following is an example of obedience to authority?

  • A) A customer tipping a waiter
  • B) A nurse administering a medication because a doctor prescribed it, without double-checking
  • C) A student choosing a class based on personal interest
  • D) A manager asking for employee feedback

What factor increased obedience in Milgram’s experiment?

  • A) The presence of other dissenting participants
  • B) The authority figure’s close proximity
  • C) The learner’s direct protests
  • D) The lack of financial incentive

Which ethical concern was raised about Milgram’s study?

  • A) It failed to recruit a diverse sample
  • B) It deceived participants about the true nature of the experiment
  • C) It proved that all people lack moral reasoning
  • D) It used real electric shocks on participants

Short Answer Questions

Explain how Milgram’s experiment demonstrated the psychological power of authority.

Provide an example from everyday life where someone follows authority even when they feel uncomfortable doing so.

Suggested Peer-Reviewed Readings

  • Zeigler-Hill, V., Southard, A. C., Archer, L. M., & Donohoe, P. L. (2013). Neuroticism and negative affect influence the reluctance to engage in destructive obedience in the Milgram paradigm. The Journal of Social Psychology, 153(2), 161-174
  • Burger, J. M. (2009). Replicating Milgram: Would people still obey today? American Psychologist, 64(1), 1-11.

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