1.7: The internal explanation

Question 1

The authoritarian personality as an explanation for obedience.

Outline one alternative explanation for obedience (3 marks)

Answer 1

One alternative explanation for obedience is the agentic state - The person ‘unthinkingly’ carries out orders, as there is a diffusion of responsibility

Question 2

Suggest three limitations of the authoritarian personality as an explanation for obedience (3 marks)

Answer 2

Three limitations of the authoritarian personality as an explanation for obedience are that it is:

1. Based on a limited sample
2. Contradicted by Milgram’s situational evidence
3. Measured by the F-scale, which has questionable validity