Obedience refers to a form of social influence in which an individual follows the instructions or commands of an authority figure. In Advanced Social Psychology, obedience is understood as a complex process influenced by situational, social, and psychological factors. Stanley Milgram’s famous obedience experiments demonstrated that ordinary individuals may perform actions that conflict with their personal values when instructed by a legitimate authority. Several factors can increase the likelihood of obedience. One important factor is the legitimacy of authority. People are more likely to obey individuals whom they perceive as having legitimate power, status, expertise, or institutional authority. Uniforms, professional positions, organizational roles, and formal settings can strengthen perceptions of legitimacy. For example, people generally follow instructions given by doctors, teachers, police officers, or senior officials because these individuals are socially recognized as having authority. The proximity of the authority figure also influences obedience. Milgram found that obedience increased when the experimenter was physically present and directly giving instructions. Immediate supervision creates social pressure and makes refusal more difficult. In contrast, when the authority figure is distant, individuals may feel more independent and