Reference no: EM133452494

Question

Power and Authority is a way in which control is used to create pressures on people, groups or society in certain ways or behaviour, the capacity to influence others, even when they try to resist this influence. Formal authority enables an individual to exert influence as a result of either high legally recognized office (legitimate authority) or high rank in a long-established but not legally codified hierarchy (traditional authority). The role of security guards varies from someone whose job involves preventing people going into places without permission, transporting large amounts of money, or protecting goods from being stolen. Maintaining order and safety is crucial in various settings, including public spaces, corporate buildings, and residential areas. However, the extent of their perceived power and how they exert authority can depend on various factors, including their job title. This report investigates how the title of a security guard impacts their perceived power and authority. Drawing upon the interpersonal dynamics observed from real life interviews with current security guards and conversing with previous studies conducted including the famous Stanford Prison Experiment and Milgram's behavioural study of obedience, this report explores the relationship between job titles, perceived power, and authority. Through a comprehensive literature review, this report aims to highlight the importance of this topic and how it can impact the role of security guards in different settings.