A questionnaire was used to examine the causes of an obedience personality. Adorno measured the unconscious attitudes of over 2000middle-classwhite Americans towards over racial groups.
Method - measures
The F-scale (or fascist scale) which is still used to measure authoritarian personality
Findings
People who score highly on the f-scale (showing authoritarian learnings) identified with 'strong' people and were contemptuous of the 'weak'
Findings
They had a cognitive style where they had very fixed views about others and were stereotypical in their thinking. They would show excessive respect and servility to those of higher status.
Evaluation - Negatives
Lack of research support, Correlational results, Nature and nurture
Cognitive style
As well as having an authoritarian personality these people also have a particular way of thinking and are known to have a 'rigid cognitive style'
Scapegoating
Anger being directed towards those who are perceived as inferior
Displacement
Due to overharsh parenting the children develop hostility towards their parents due to fear they cannot direct this towards their parents
