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Specification:

  • Social Influence

Click the link below to read the article and then answer the questions:

Israel grapples with ‘Eichmann’ dilemma over Hamas attack trials

  • Briefly explain ‘agentic state’ as an explanation for obedience

  • Briefly explain ‘legitimacy of authority’ as an explanation for obedience

  • Based on the information in the article, discuss the extent to which each of these theories might apply to the behaviour of Israeli troops

  • Briefly explain what is meant by ‘role conformity’

  • The article refers to the prison system, mentioning torture and deaths whilst detained. To what extent can Zimbardo’s research into role conformity help us to understand such events?

  • What are the dangers of using these theories to explain such behaviour?

Danny Galbraith, St Bartholomew’s School

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