AP PSYCHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Obedience, in human behavior, is a form of “social influence in which a person yields to explicit instructions or orders from an authority figure". Obedience is generally distinguished from compliance, which is behavior influenced by peers, and from conformity, which is behavior intended to match that of the majority.

Detailed explanation-2: -Obedience to authority is the tendency people have to try to please those in charge. Psychological evidence indicates that people tend to respect and follow those whom they perceive to have legitimate authority. This can lead to trouble if it causes people to fail to exercise their own independent ethical judgment.

Detailed explanation-3: -Obedience is the act of carrying out the requests or commands of a person of higher status within a social hierarchy. The most distinctive feature of the social-psychological approach to obedience is the primary role it accords to situational determinants.

Detailed explanation-4: -Obedience is a change in behavior as a result of a direct command from an authority figure.

Detailed explanation-5: -Examples of Obedience to Authority One example of obedience to authority in history was the tragic events that unfolded in Nazi Germany during World War II when Adolf Hitler ordered his subordinates to commit unspeakable atrocities against persons of the Jewish faith, people with disabilities, and other citizens.