Authority - GCSE Psychology Definition

In the context of GCSE Psychology, 'Authority' refers to the power, influence, or right conferred upon individuals or institutions to make decisions, enforce rules, and expect obedience from others. This concept explores how authority is perceived and the psychological processes behind obedience to authority figures, such as teachers, police officers, or government officials. Authority is central in understanding social influence and conformity, and is often studied through classic experiments, like those conducted by Stanley Milgram, which demonstrate how individuals respond to instructions from perceived authority figures even when these instructions conflict with personal morals or social norms.