Obedience Flashcards
What is obedience? (3)
- Complying with the direct orders of an authority figure.
- Necessary for maintaining social order
- Can have both +’ve and -‘ve outcomes
What is an authority figure?
Someone with more power/control over another and the ability to use sanctions
What situational factors affect obedience? (5)
- Level and proximity of authority
- Proximity of victim
- Legitimacy of context
- Personal responsibility
- Support of others
What personality factors affect obedience? (2)
- Locus of control
2. Authoritarian personality
What are the features of an authoritarian personality? (3)
- Extreme obedience to authority
- Right wing political views
- Rigid beliefs especially about justice
What is the F-scale? (3)
- Questionnaire made by Adorno to test for authoritarian personalities
- Adorno et al (1950) used these traits to explain Nazi anti-Semitism
- The higher the score, the more authoritarian the personality
Why does locus of control affect obedience?
External locus of control = more likely to obey b/c they take less individual responsibility for their actions
Finish the sentence:
“The greater the power, proximity and legitimacy of the authority figure…”
The greater their influence over a crowd b/c their intentions (pro or antisocial) are believed to be right
What is blind obedience?
Complying with an authority figure’s orders without question
What 4 factors affect blind obedience?
- Social support
- presence of a dissenting ally increases likeliness to resist - Familiarity of the situation
- unfamiliar situation = more likely to obey b/c we don’t know how to behave - Distance
- impact of authority is decreased as distance grows - Education
- raising awareness of the dangers and signs of blind obedience = less likely to blindly obey
