Exam (elaborations)
PYC4803 Assignment 2 2024 (785738) - DUE 26 July 2024
- Course
- PYC4803 (PYC4803)
- Institution
- University Of South Africa (Unisa)
PYC4803 Assignment 2 2024 (785738) - DUE 26 July 2024 QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED ANSWERS
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[Date]PYC4803
Assignment 2
2024 (785738) -
DUE 26 July 2024
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE ANSWERS
, PYC4803 Assignment 2 2024 (785738) - DUE 26 July 2024
(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 influence. (20 marks)
Example of Destructive Obedience in Society
One prominent example of destructive obedience in contemporary society is the
abuse and mistreatment of detainees at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq by U.S.
military personnel in the early 2000s. The personnel involved in these incidents
were following orders and directives from higher-ranking officials, which led to
severe physical and psychological abuse of prisoners.
Possible Underlying Reasons for Compliance
Authority and Legitimacy
1. Perceived Legitimacy of Authority: The orders came from superiors in the
military hierarchy. In a structured and hierarchical institution like the
military, orders from above are perceived as legitimate and are expected to
be followed without question. The authority of the superiors is
institutionalized, making their commands more likely to be obeyed.
2. Institutional Authority: The military as an institution has a strong culture
of obedience and discipline. Soldiers are trained to follow orders as part of
their duty, often without questioning the morality or legality of those orders.
This culture reinforces the legitimacy of the commands given, even when
they involve destructive actions.
Social and Situational Factors
3. Conformity to Group Norms: Within the prison, a culture of mistreatment
developed, where abusive behavior became normalized among the soldiers.
When individuals see their peers engaging in certain behaviors, they are
more likely to conform to those behaviors, especially in a high-stress and
isolated environment like a military prison.
4. Dehumanization of Victims: The detainees were often seen as enemy
combatants or terrorists, leading to their dehumanization. This psychological
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