Being able to make others comply with an order, request, or law is a very powerful tool to possess. This is otherwise known as the ability to make others obey. Obedience is a form of social influence where an individual acts in response to a direct order from another individual, who is usually an authority figure. Obedience involves performing an action under the strict orders of said authority figure. It is possible to further break down obedience into constructive and destructive obedience. A set of behaviors which promotes social harmony is classified as constructive obedience. A set of behaviors which is uncritical towards immoral requests given by authority is known as destructive obedience. (Obedience Journal) In the last 100 years there
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It was organized by German’s known as the Nazi’s who had a hate for anyone different than their Aryan race. Adolf Eichmann was the mastermind behind Adolf Hitler’s mass extermination. For as many people that were killed during this time, Hitler could not have killed them all. So what drove so many Germans to kill? Were they afraid? When someone obeys authority they are validating that command to be legitimate (i.e. rightful, legal). This does not necessarily mean they believe in the order only the authority in which gives it. After World War II, psychologists set out to investigate the phenomena of human obedience. Early research attempting to explain the Holocaust focused primarily on German culture. This was because psychologists initially believed German culture was the catalyst and cause for the Holocaust. Researchers debunked this theory after years of focus on obedience. This one influential power was so strong it commanded the authority of an entire race and population. Neighbors turned on neighbors, teachers turned on students and families fought amongst each other. It is important to think how powerful authority truly is and the mass destruction it can cause when wielded by the cruel. It is also important to think of the good which can come from authority, look at Gandhi for hope. He had authority over his people but he did not use that power for wrong, instead he used it as a vote
It was organized by German’s known as the Nazi’s who had a hate for anyone different than their Aryan race. Adolf Eichmann was the mastermind behind Adolf Hitler’s mass extermination. For as many people that were killed during this time, Hitler could not have killed them all. So what drove so many Germans to kill? Were they afraid? When someone obeys authority they are validating that command to be legitimate (i.e. rightful, legal). This does not necessarily mean they believe in the order only the authority in which gives it. After World War II, psychologists set out to investigate the phenomena of human obedience. Early research attempting to explain the Holocaust focused primarily on German culture. This was because psychologists initially believed German culture was the catalyst and cause for the Holocaust. Researchers debunked this theory after years of focus on obedience. This one influential power was so strong it commanded the authority of an entire race and population. Neighbors turned on neighbors, teachers turned on students and families fought amongst each other. It is important to think how powerful authority truly is and the mass destruction it can cause when wielded by the cruel. It is also important to think of the good which can come from authority, look at Gandhi for hope. He had authority over his people but he did not use that power for wrong, instead he used it as a vote