A comment I heard from someone once:
"Most passengers check their brains in with their bags"!
Watch how people behave in lifts (aka elevators). If someone takes command (haha!) of the lift things tend to go more smoothly.
There is a fine line between expecting to be told what to do and in extremis having to make your own decision to protect your life.
The overwing exits are a classic example. Passengers would normally expect to be told when to operate/use these exits. However in extremis (sudden crash landing) they might have to make a decision to use them.
Of course, coordinated action is best and that is one of the reasons why the cabin crew are on board led by flight deck crew.
This is a complex issue but at some level passengers need to have trust in the system. When this is being continually undermined by the sensationalist media and air crash "documentaries" their level of trust may be eroded.
Culturally people are more used to questioning authority. (Think of the recent events with respect to reclining seats.) However passengers need to appreciate that when they get on an a/c they need to follow instructions in order to guarantee their safety.