The Issue: Authority figures have a lot of power and influence in our culture. Once we realize that someone is an authority figure, whether it’s their title, clothing or trapping, we are blindly obedient to whatever they tell us to do. While the opposite of not trusting our authority figures is anarchy, Cialdini suggests even a basic understanding that authority figures will not always tell you the truth or are pushing their own agendas makes you more aware and apt to not mindlessly trust what they say.
Major Strength: Like he usually does, Cialdini gives numerous examples, scientific experiments and real life illustrations. When he talks about Milgram’s experiments on authority influence on test subjects, it’s shockingly obvious that the only reason the subjects are compliant is because he’s in a position of authority. Another example of doctors being put on a pedestal because of their title (and white coats apparently) is due to the fact that we have to trust them. We have no medical knowledge and blindly trust their diagnosis, judgments and prescriptions with out hesitation. The best example, and most humorous that was given was about the prescription for ear drops that ended up being put into the wrong end. I think about putting myself in that situation and I too would probably blindly trust the medical practice even if it didn’t quite make since to me.
Major Weakness: While Cialdini gives examples and outlying factors for us to trust authority figures, he doesn’t specifically talk about what the other option is. While these people are put into positions of authority for various reasons (education, job title, appearance, height) he says just being aware that everything that comes out of their mouth isn’t mutually beneficial. While I think this is an obvious observation it is easily masked over by a nice suit.
Underlying assumption: Authority is a part of everyday life, no matter what part of the world you live in. There are certain standards that we have for people who are in these positions of authority and typically take whatever they say as truth. Cialdini challenges us to dive deeper into what is being said and not blindly trust them based off of a white doctors coat or a luxury car.
Provocative Questions: Has their been an uprising in not taking what doctors tell us as truth because of websites such as WebMD? Are sites like that breaking down this authority barrier for this specific profession? Is this why professor Gaither wears a suit everyday?