Dispositional explanation for obedience

Question 1

The internal explanation: Authoritarian Personality

Answer 1

-certain personality characteristics associated with higher obedience
-characterised by belief in absolute obedience,submission to authority and domination of minorities
-Adorno et al. (1950) developed a questionnaire called the F scale, to measure levels of authoritarian personality 30 questions assessing 9 personality dimensions

Question 2

The internal explanation: Authoritarian Personality: Strength

Answer 2

ELM & MILGRAM (1966) found participants in Milgram’s original study, who were highly obedient, were significantly more authoritarian on the F-scale than disobedient participants

Question 3

The internal explanation: Authoritarian Personality: LIMITATION

Answer 3

CULTURE+GENDER BIAS sample used to create this theory by Adorno et Al was all male Americans and so there are issues generalising theory to other genders and cultures

Question 4

The internal explanation: Authoritarian Personality: LIMITATION

Answer 4

SITUATIONAL FACTORS such as uniform,proximity and location are not addressed in this explanation proven as worthy by Milgram (1974) where same study was conducted in office building in run down part of town instead of at Yale Uni and obedience dropped to 47.5%

Question 5

How authoritarian personality develops

Answer 5

-harsh parenting style in childhood: strict discipline,criticism of failings,impossibly high standards
-as child cannot express feelings to parents they displace these to others they deem weaker (scapegoating)