Resisting or unlearning the agentic state is possible, although it often requires conscious effort and awareness. Education and awareness are crucial in this process. By understanding the psychological mechanisms behind obedience and the agentic state, individuals can become more mindful of situations where they might be unduly deferring to authority. Critical thinking skills are essential in evaluating the legitimacy and ethical implications of authority figures' commands. Encouraging a culture of questioning and ethical consideration in educational and organisational settings can also help individuals resist automatically entering the agentic state. Additionally, fostering a sense of personal responsibility and ethical accountability in decision-making can counteract the tendency to relinquish autonomy to authority figures. It's also important to note that social support and a culture that values dissent and whistleblowing can empower individuals to resist inappropriate commands from authority figures.

'Blind obedience' and the agentic state are related but distinct concepts. Blind obedience refers to the unquestioning adherence to orders without any consideration of ethics, consequences, or personal beliefs. It implies a total suspension of personal judgement and responsibility. In contrast, the agentic state is a psychological condition where individuals still possess awareness of their actions but perceive themselves as instruments of another's will. In the agentic state, people might experience conflict between their actions and personal morals, often leading to stress or discomfort. However, they justify their obedience by the belief that the authority figure is ultimately responsible for the outcomes. Thus, while blind obedience denotes a complete abdication of personal judgement, the agentic state involves a more complex psychological process of rationalising obedience under perceived authority.

The agentic state theory can also explain compliance in situations where there is no clear authority figure, through the concept of implied or internalised authority. In such scenarios, individuals might comply due to an internalised sense of what is 'expected' or 'right' in a given social context. This internalisation often results from societal norms, cultural values, or institutional rules that are deeply ingrained in an individual's psyche. People may enter an agentic state by deferring to these internalised standards, perceiving themselves as instruments of a broader social or institutional will. This form of compliance can be seen in situations like adhering to societal norms or corporate policies. Understanding the role of internalised authority in the agentic state helps explain why individuals sometimes act against their personal beliefs or interests, even without direct orders from a specific authority figure.

Individual differences play a significant role in susceptibility to the agentic state. Some people are more inclined to enter the agentic state due to personality traits, past experiences, or cultural background. For instance, individuals with a high need for structure and certainty may find comfort in deferring to authority figures. Additionally, those who have been socialised in environments with strict hierarchical structures, such as certain educational or religious institutions, might be more predisposed to obeying authority without question. Cultural factors also influence this susceptibility; cultures that place a high value on authority and collectivism may foster greater acceptance of authoritative commands. However, it's important to note that these tendencies are not deterministic. People can resist entering the agentic state through critical thinking, awareness of these psychological dynamics, and moral reasoning.

The concept of the agentic state extends beyond experimental settings into real-world scenarios, particularly in hierarchical organisations where authority is a key component. For instance, in military or corporate environments, individuals often follow orders from superiors, potentially leading to actions that they might not personally endorse. This obedience stems from the perception of authority figures as responsible for the outcomes of those actions. The agentic state theory helps explain events like corporate scandals or military atrocities, where individuals justify their actions by claiming they were 'just following orders.' This rationale indicates a shift from personal autonomy to the agentic state, where personal morality is overridden by the obligation to obey authority. Understanding this psychological shift is crucial in contexts like legal and ethical discussions, where the distinction between personal responsibility and obedience to authority is often debated.