Study chapter eight (social influence) in your prescribed book before attempting to
answer this question.
(A) Give your own example of destructive obedience that occurred in your society
and explain possible reasons as to the underlying reasons why people comply with
this form of social influen...
Introduction 4 TO 5 Prosocial behaviour 5 Empathy- Altruism hypothesis 6 TO 7 Negative-state relief model 7 TO 8 Empathetic Joy model 8 TO 9 Comparative Altruism 9 Kin selection theory 10 Defensive h...
All for this textbook (4)
Written for
University of South Africa (Unisa)
Social Psychology (PYC4803)
All documents for this subject (15)
Seller
Follow
Aimark94
Reviews received
Content preview
, PLEASE USE THIS DOCUMENT AS A GUIDE TO ANSWER YOUR ASSIGNMENT
Please note that the author of this document will not responsibility for any plagiarizing you
commit.
1. Study chapter eight (social influence) in your prescribed book before attempting to answer
this question. Give your own example of destructive obedience that occurred in your society and
explain possible reasons as to the underlying reasons why people comply with this form of social
influence.
Destructive obedience occurs when individuals comply with orders that result in harm to others. This
form of social influence can be driven by various factors including authority pressure, fear of
consequences, and a belief in the legitimacy of the authority. Chapter eight of the prescribed
textbook on social influence explores these dynamics and offers insights into why people sometimes
follow harmful commands. One notable example of destructive obedience in recent history is the
case of the Marikana Massacre in South Africa.
Example of Destructive Obedience: The Marikana Massacre
The Marikana Massacre occurred on August 16, 2012, when South African police opened fire on
striking miners at the Marikana platinum mine, killing 34 and injuring 78. This tragic event stemmed
from a labor dispute where miners were demanding higher wages. The police were instructed to
disperse the striking miners, who were perceived as a threat due to their alleged possession of
weapons and their aggressive stance.
Possible Reasons for Compliance
Authority and Legitimacy: The police officers involved in the Marikana Massacre were
following orders from their superiors, who were seen as legitimate authorities. This perceived
legitimacy is crucial in eliciting obedience, as individuals often believe that the orders from
recognized authorities are justified and must be followed.
Fear of Consequences: The officers may have feared disciplinary action or other negative
repercussions if they failed to comply with the commands. The pressure to conform to
authority directives can be immense, particularly in hierarchical organizations like the police
force, where dissent might be punished severely.
Deindividuation: In a large group, individuals might feel less personally accountable for their
actions. The concept of deindividuation suggests that people in groups are more likely to
engage in behaviors they would not typically consider if they were acting alone. The
anonymity provided by the group can reduce personal responsibility, making destructive
obedience more likely.
Conformity to Group Norms: Within the police force, there is a strong culture of solidarity and
obedience. Officers are trained to follow orders without question, which can create an
environment where conformity to group norms overrides personal moral judgments. This
cultural aspect of the police force likely played a significant role in the events at Marikana.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller Aimark94. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $2.81. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
