Discuss the Authoritarian as for obedience
(16 marks)
personality an explanation
⑧ AO1:
⑧ Formation:
Adorno et al. (1950)
·
Develops in childhood due to harsh, strict parenting
child displaces the built up hostility onto minorities and develops an authoritarian personality
Created the F-scale to measure authoritarian personality
behaviours:
strict adherence to social norms
respects authority
hostility towards different or groups who seem to have a lower status
rigid thinking
A03:
Supporting research:
·
Milgram and elms found that highly obedient ppts scored high on f-scale
high on f-scale → authoritarian traits
supports the theory that obedient people display authoritarian traits which increases validity
COUNTER
Methodological issues:
Most research (Adorno's f-scale and misgram's follow ups) used lab studies or self report
Limits validity as responses may be socially desirable or in uenced by demand characteristic
Real-world application:
T Jonestown showed extreme obedience and many members believed in absolute authority
Increases validity → shows obedience can be linked to authoritarian personality in real life
Ignores other factors: COUNTER
Focuses only on childhood and authoritarian personality
, Ignores individual personalities such as empathy and locus of control
Reduces explanatory power because obedience is likely in uenced by multiple factors
Cultural bias:
Adorno used 2000 middle class white Americans
Ignores cultural differences (collectivist vs individualist)
More likely to have an authoritarian personality due to time of study (post-war)
Lacks population validity und historical validity
Conclusions can't be generalised to everyone
flfl
(16 marks)
personality an explanation
⑧ AO1:
⑧ Formation:
Adorno et al. (1950)
·
Develops in childhood due to harsh, strict parenting
child displaces the built up hostility onto minorities and develops an authoritarian personality
Created the F-scale to measure authoritarian personality
behaviours:
strict adherence to social norms
respects authority
hostility towards different or groups who seem to have a lower status
rigid thinking
A03:
Supporting research:
·
Milgram and elms found that highly obedient ppts scored high on f-scale
high on f-scale → authoritarian traits
supports the theory that obedient people display authoritarian traits which increases validity
COUNTER
Methodological issues:
Most research (Adorno's f-scale and misgram's follow ups) used lab studies or self report
Limits validity as responses may be socially desirable or in uenced by demand characteristic
Real-world application:
T Jonestown showed extreme obedience and many members believed in absolute authority
Increases validity → shows obedience can be linked to authoritarian personality in real life
Ignores other factors: COUNTER
Focuses only on childhood and authoritarian personality
, Ignores individual personalities such as empathy and locus of control
Reduces explanatory power because obedience is likely in uenced by multiple factors
Cultural bias:
Adorno used 2000 middle class white Americans
Ignores cultural differences (collectivist vs individualist)
More likely to have an authoritarian personality due to time of study (post-war)
Lacks population validity und historical validity
Conclusions can't be generalised to everyone
flfl
