Individual differences - obedience

• How does personality affect obedience

  > Defined as characteristics, behaviours, attitudes, interests and capabilities

  > Distinguish between individuals

  > Tow personality types (Authoritarian + locus of control)
• What does the locus of control personality type involve according to Julian Rotter?

  > Internal - take responsibility, dissent

  > External - take less responsibility, obey

  > Supporting evidence - Miller 1975

  > Refuting evidence - Schurz 1985
• What are the three factors of situation?

  > Legitimacy

  > Proximity

  > Behavior of others
• What does legitimacy involve?

  > Reducing the perceived legitimacy by altering mode of dress for example (Milgrams exp. 13, ordinary man)
• What does proximity involve?

  > Distance between authority figure and participant is increased (Latane - physical immediacy, Milgrams exp 3 - obedience fell by 40%)
• What does behaviour of others involve?

  > Exposure to role models who are disobedient decreases obedience (Milgrams exp. 17)