1. An Alternative Theory for Obedience
Dispositional Factors

2. An Alternative Theory for Obedience
BATs
Evaluate the Situational theory of Obedience – C+
Outline the Dispositional Theory of Obedience – D+
Compare the 2 theories – B+

3. Situational factors affecting obedience levels
Match the situation to its definition
People obey more if the individual giving
orders has greater authority.
SETTING
People are more likely to obey (or be defiant)
if other people in the group are showing
that behaviour.
CULTURE
People obey more if the consequences
of not obeying are more severe.
AUTHORITY
People are more likely to obey in a formal
setting such as a library, church or hospital.
PUNISHMENT
Collectivist cultures tend to be more
obedient than individualisitic cultures.
CONSENSUS

4. Situational factors affecting obedience levels
Match the situation to its definition
People obey more if the individual giving
orders has greater authority.
SETTING
People are more likely to obey (or be defiant)
if other people in the group are showing
that behaviour.
CULTURE
People obey more if the consequences
of not obeying are more severe.
AUTHORITY
People are more likely to obey in a formal
setting such as a library, church or hospital.
PUNISHMENT
Collectivist cultures tend to be more
obedient than individualisitic cultures.
CONSENSUS

5. Criticisms (limitations) of the Situational Theory of Obedience
Read p 54 ‘Criticisms of the Situational Factors Explanation of Obedience’
Copy the headings and write an explanation in your own words
Find out what demand characteristics are and add it to the glossary

6. Evaluation: Is obedience really affected by situational factors?
A lot of evidence comes from experimentation so may have little to do with obedience in real-life.
This approach assumes that all people are as obedient as each other – it just depends on the situation.
There is evidence that some people are simply more obedient than others regardless of the situation. These people are sometimes described as having an authoritarian personality.

7. Dispositional Factors
An Alternative Theory
Dispositional Factors
The situation is irrelevant
The disposition (personality) of the person is more important

8. The Authoritarian Personality
Read p – ‘An Alternative Theory’
Answer the following questions ..
Who claimed there was an Authoritarian Personality? When?
What originally drove him and his colleagues to do this research?
What type of research did they use (procedure)?
What does the F-scale mean?
What did Adorno think was the reason people had an Authoritarian personality?

9. A quick investigation…
Look at Activity 4.7 p55
On the scrap of paper jot down the following ..
Rate how obedient you think you are on a scale from 1-10 (10 = most obedient)
Rate how strict you think your parents/carers are on a scale from 1-10 (10 = most strict)
For confidentiality– do not put your name on it, fold up the paper and pass to SJ

10. A quick investigation…
Look at Activity 4.7 p55
Use the data on the board to draw a scatter graph to see if there is a correlation between obedience levels and strictness of upbringing
Strictness of upbringing
Obedience rating

11. Create a Profile of an Authoritarian Personality
Get Creative …
Using the characteristics of a typical Authoritarian Personality that Adorno came up with in 1950
Create a Profile of an Authoritarian Personality
How will your person behave?
What sort of job might they have?
What might they believe?
Get ideas from TV characters, celebrities and famous people from the past

12. Plenary Share creations
Extension – What are the differences between dispositional and situational factors in obedience?

13. Homework
Choose a celebrity or TV character and explain why you believe they have an Authoritarian personality
Refer to Adorno’s characteristics.
Can this be backed up with a strict upbringing?
In next week please