Dispositional Explanation of Obedience

Question 1

Adorno proposed that Dispositional Explanation is

Answer 1

an internal explanation of obedience and that certain personality characteristics are associated with higher level of obedience

Question 2

Collection of personality traits said to develop

Answer 2

from strict parenting during an individual’s childhood ie extremely strict discipline, high standards and criticism of failing

Question 3

Personality traits showing

Answer 3

extreme respect for perceived authority and submission to people in perceived authority as they see them as superior.

Question 4

The authoritarian personality was assessed

Answer 4

using the F scale questionnaire on a sample of 2000 Americans PPts who have scored highly.

Question 5

RTS the authoritarian personality was conducted by Milgram and Elms

Answer 5

They interviewed ppts who took part in their experiment to complete an F scale questionnaire. They found higher level of authoritarianism in those who were classed as obedient (450 V) Therefore, suggesting AP is associated with Obedience.

Question 6

Alt explanation is situational factors

Answer 6

For example, obedience increases when authority figure is wearing uniform rather than internal factors such AP where the individual has extreme respect due to harsh parenting. Weakens as it is not the sole explanation.