Following the results of probably the most famous study in the history of social psychology (The Milgram study), Milgram developed his own theory of why people will obey a malevolent authority.According to Milgram, at any particular time a person is in one of two psychological states: Autonomous state In this state individuals make decisions based on their own ideas, beliefs and experiences. Agentic State In this state individuals give up their own responsibility, deferring to those of higher status.