Dispositional explanations - AO1 Flashcards
What did Adorno et al. (1950) say?
He wanted to better understand the antisemitism of the holocaust, but their conclusions were very different to Milgram’s.
He believed that a high level of obedience was pathogical (a disorder), caused by the personality of the individual rather than the situation.
What is authoritarian personality?
A dispositional explanation for obedience ; Adorno argued that people with this disposition were particularly susceptible to obedience because they have an extreme respect for authority.
* In the view of someone with an AP, people who are “other” (e.g belong to a different ethnic group) are responsible for problems in society
What did Adorno et al. say about people with an AP?
- They view society as “weaker” as they once was, wanting strong and powerful leaders to enforce traditional values (e.g patriotism)
- Have an inflexible “black and white” outlook on the world
How did Adorno et al. believe AP formed?
He believed AP formed in childhood, mostly as a result of harsh parenting
* Extremely strict discipline
* Expectation of absolute loyalty
* Impossibly high standards
* Severe critiscm of “failings”
* Conditional love
What is the F scale?
The potential for fascism scale is used to measure authoritarian personality.
Indicate agreements with statements measuring unconscious attitudes.
High scores shows authoritarian personality
What are the aims for the F scale?
To assess unconscious attitudes towards other social groups
How many participants were part of the F scale study?
Over 2000 middle class white Americans
What was the procedure for the f scale?
Developed several measurement scales, including potential for fascism scale (f-scale) - still in use today to measure authoritarian personality
What are the findings for the F scale?
People with an authoritarian leanings (high f scale score) identified with “strong” people and contemptuous of the “weak”.
Very conscious of status and showed extreme respect to those of higher status
Black and white thinking and fixed stereotypes about other groups
What were the conclusions for the F scale?
Strong positive correlation between authoritarianism and prejudice, which they linked to high levels of obedience
