LEGAT-C, CAAP-O, ESCP-P, SMPC-C

Question 1

Proximity

Answer 1

How near or far away something or someone is. When we are close to an authroity figure we are more likely to obey. Milgram also suggests that proximity to the consequences of our actions increases the moral strain which leads to an increase in presonal responsibility.

Question 2

Authority

Answer 2

when a person has the right to give orders, or when they are percieved by others to have the right to do so. In many cultures, people are brought up to obey people in authority. Milgram found that authroity is an element in whether or not people obey

Question 3

Describe Adorno’s theory of Authoritarian Personality.

Answer 3

• theory that some people have a personality that make them more obedient
• A person who is very obedient with authority, or people of a higher status than them are likely to have this personality.
• People with AP are likely to look down on ‘inferior’ statused people
• Have black and white thinking
• based on a questionaire (F-scale). concluded that harsh upbringing and critical parenting more likely to have AP

Question 4

Evaluate Adorno’s theory of Authoritarian Personality.

Answer 4

• F-scale has been critised bcs it has a response bias (the questions are written in such a way that giving a yes answer is always an AP response). Therefore theory may not be based on research findings that are valid.
• Has not provided proof that an AP actually causes high obedience. only that there’s a correlation between AP and obedience. This means cause and effect cannot be proven.
• Some of the most obedient ppt in Milgrams studt did not have the AP upbringing adorno theory suggests is a main factor in the development in such personality.
• other researchers have found that people with lower educaitonal levels are more obedient. Suggests that other D factors may be imporant and that AP is not enough on its own.