obedience

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obedience

human behavior

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July 1, 2026

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Obedience refers to submitting to the authority or control of another, or following customs, rules, or laws. It can also describe a willingness to yield to the wishes of others. Compliance is a synonym, indicating a readiness to yield or a bending to authority.12

Social psychologist Stanley Milgram conducted controversial experiments demonstrating how readily individuals would obey an authority figure, even when instructed to inflict harm. These studies provided significant insights into human behavior, particularly conformity and social pressure.3

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Judaism
Activity in the world
…community is promised reward for obedience and punishment for disobedience. The intention of the passage is clear: obedience is rewarded by the preservation of order, so that the community and its members find wholeness in life; while disobedience—rebellion against divine sovereignty—shatters order, so that the community is overwhelmed by adversity.…
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…community is promised reward for obedience and punishment for disobedience. The intention of the passage is clear: obedience is rewarded by the preservation of order, so that the community and its members find wholeness in life; while disobedience—rebellion against divine sovereignty—shatters order, so that the community is overwhelmed by adversity.…
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Stanley Milgram
…controversial and groundbreaking experiments on obedience to authority. Milgram’s obedience experiments, in addition to other studies that he carried out during his career, generally are considered to have provided important insight into human social behaviour, particularly conformity and social pressure. See also Milgram experiment.
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…controversial and groundbreaking experiments on obedience to authority. Milgram’s obedience experiments, in addition to other studies that he carried out during his career, generally are considered to have provided important insight into human social behaviour, particularly conformity and social pressure. See also Milgram experiment.
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monasticism
Cenobitic
obedience, and stability, was followed until the 13th century by diverse orders, including the Knights Templars and most other paramilitary aristocratic orders, and it remains the rule of the Benedictine order today. It is notable for providing an effective model of monastic government and for…
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obedience, and stability, was followed until the 13th century by diverse orders, including the Knights Templars and most other paramilitary aristocratic orders, and it remains the rule of the Benedictine order today. It is notable for providing an effective model of monastic government and for…
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St. Ignatius of Loyola
The Jesuit Constitutions
The special vow of obedience to the pope was called by Loyola “the cause and principal foundation” of his society.
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The special vow of obedience to the pope was called by Loyola “the cause and principal foundation” of his society.
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