Dispositional Explanations of obedience: The Authoritarian Personality Worksheet model answers
01. In your own words, explain...
Provide a clear explanation for each of the following key words
Dispositional explanation for obedience
A dispositional explanation suggests that a person obeys because of their personality traits rather than the situation they are in. It focuses on internal factors like attitudes, beliefs, and temperament that make someone more likely to follow orders.
The authoritarian personality
An authoritarian personality refers to a type of personality characterised by extreme respect for authority and a belief in strict obedience. People with this personality type tend to be inflexible, see the world in black-and-white terms, and are more likely to follow the orders of those they perceive as higher status.
02. Outline
According to Adorno et al. (1950), what leads to someone developing an authoritarian personality?
Adorno et al. believed that an authoritarian personality develops due to harsh and strict parenting. Children who experience punishment for misbehaviour and are raised in an environment that values obedience and respect for authority are more likely to develop this personality type. Their hostility towards parents is repressed and displaced onto weaker individuals or out-groups.
How is the authoritarian personality assessed, and what behaviours or attitudes are typically associated with it?
It is assessed using the F-scale (F for fascism), a questionnaire that measures authoritarian traits. People with an authoritarian personality tend to be rigid in their thinking, show high respect for authority, have a strong belief in rules, and are hostile towards those who are different or of lower status.
Outline the connection between authoritarian personality and obedience to authority.
People with an authoritarian personality are more likely to obey authority figures because they value rules, respect authority, and dislike uncertainty. Their obedience comes from deep-rooted personality traits rather than the specifics of a situation, making them especially prone to following orders—even when the orders may cause harm to others.
03. Provide three
Using the PBWC format, construct three evaluative points on the dispositional explanation of obedience.
1. Point: One strength of the dispositional explanation is that there is supporting research.
Because: Milgram and Elms (1966) found that participants who scored highly on the F-scale were more likely to have fully obeyed in Milgram’s study.
Why: This suggests that authoritarian traits are linked to obedience, supporting the idea that personality plays a role.
Counterpoint: However, this is only correlational evidence and does not prove that authoritarianism causes obedience.
2. Point: A limitation is that the authoritarian personality cannot explain all cases of obedience.
Because: In Milgram’s study, many people obeyed regardless of their F-scale scores or background.
Why: This suggests that situational factors, such as proximity to the authority figure, may play a stronger role.
Counterpoint: Therefore, a purely dispositional explanation is too simplistic and cannot account for the influence of the social context.
3. Point: Another limitation is that the F-scale has been criticised for response bias.
Because: The questionnaire is worded in a way that agreeing with statements can lead to a high authoritarian score, regardless of true beliefs.
Why: This weakens the validity of the F-scale as a reliable measure of authoritarian traits.
Counterpoint: While the scale is flawed, it still provides a useful tool for identifying certain attitudes when combined with other methods.
Challenge Task – Fourth Paragraph (Issue/Debate Link)
4. Point: The dispositional explanation is deterministic.
Because: It suggests that people obey because of fixed personality traits developed in childhood.
Why: This removes personal responsibility and ignores the possibility of change or choice.
Counterpoint: However, recognising patterns in personality can help predict behaviour and inform interventions.
04. Apply what you know
Using your knowledge of explanations of obedience, explain why Aisha obeyed the order given by her supervisor. (6 marks)
Aisha obeyed her supervisor due to both dispositional and situational factors. According to the dispositional explanation, she may have an authoritarian personality, as she respects authority figures and finds it difficult to challenge those she sees as more experienced. This personality type is linked to higher obedience levels. Additionally, the supervisor said they would take full responsibility, which links to the agentic state—Aisha may have felt she was acting as an agent for someone else and not personally responsible. Her fear of getting into trouble if she refused is also a situational factor, showing how legitimacy of authority influences obedience. Therefore, Aisha’s obedience can be explained by a combination of internal personality traits and external social pressures.
