Obedience

Obedience

Obedience is a fundamental concept in social psychology that refers to an individual's compliance with orders, commands, or instructions from an authority figure, even if the actions required may conflict with their personal beliefs, values, or moral standards. It is a form of social influence where an individual acts in response to a direct order from another person who is usually in a position of power or authority. The concept of obedience has been extensively studied in psychology, particularly through the renowned experiments conducted by Stanley Milgram in the 1960s. Milgram's obedience experiments demonstrated that ordinary people were willing to inflict apparent harm on others when instructed to do so by an authority figure, highlighting the powerful influence of authority on human behavior. The experiments also raised significant ethical questions about the extent to which individuals may surrender their autonomy and personal responsibility in the face of authority. The concept of obedience has significant implications in various contexts, including military settings, the workplace, and even in everyday life, where individuals may find themselves complying with instructions or societal norms without questioning their validity or consequences.

obedience authority compliance social influence

— Robert Anderson

CITATION : "Robert Anderson. 'Obedience.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/define/obedience?E=432263 (Accessed on October 14, 2026)"