dispositional explanations of obedience

Question 1

dispositional explanations

Answer 1

any explanation of behaviour that highlights the importance of the individual’s personality,this is often constructed with situational variable

Question 2

authoritarian personality

Answer 2

a type of personality that Adorno argued was especially susceptible to obeying people in authority.such individuals are thought to be submissive to those of a higher status and dismiss inferiors

Question 3

outline the authoritarin personality as an explanation of obedience

Answer 3

The authoritarian personality identified by adorno explain high levels of obedience by looking at individuals disposition.Those with an authoritarian personality believe everything is either right or wrong and they are very uncomfortable with uncertainty.This means those who belong to different ethic group are seen to them as the ils of society.They are also more likely to obey destructive orders from authoritative figures as the believe we need strong leaders to enforce traditional values therefore, because they hold this personality traits, they are submissive to those of highest status, which explains why they are more likely to obey destructive orders

Question 4

outline the psychodynamic explanation of the origin of the authoritarian personality

Answer 4

Adorno concluded the authoritarian personality is formed in childhood due to harsh parenting. Parenting styles including strict discipline,expectations of loyalty,unconditional love and severe criticism.these experiences create hostility and resentment towards parents but the child cannot take the frustration out on the parents so they displace on those that they view are weaker than them (scapegoating).This is a central trait of obedience to high authority,which is hatred for people considered to be socially inferior.

Question 5

critique of the origin of the authoritarian personality

Answer 5

very deterministic way of looking at behaviour

Question 6

one strength of disposition explanations - research support

Answer 6

Elms and milgram found a positive correlation between authoritarianism and obedience.For example parts who continued to the final shock level scored high on the f-scale.this supports the disposition explanation of obedience and suggest that it may have some validity in explaining obedience.

Question 7

weakness of disposition explanations -limited explanation

Answer 7

the disposition explanation find it hard to explain obedient behaviour in the majority of the countries population.e.g in pre war germany many displaced obedient racist behaviour.It is extremely unlikely that they could all posses an authoritarian personality.Therefore an alternative explanation based on social psychology factors is much more realistic explanation of obedience