Dispositional Factors of Crowd & Collective Behaviour

• What is a dispositional explanation focused on?

  The role of personality in behaviour
• What are the components of personality?

  • Traits
  • Characteristics
  • Attributes
  • Qualities
  • Idiosyncrasies
• How does personality set individuals apart?

  It makes each person unique
• Is there an absolute way people respond in crowds?

  No, responses vary among individuals
• What are two possible responses to being in a crowd?

  Quieter or more excitable
• What does locus of control (LOC) explain?

  It explains conformity in behaviour
• What are characteristics of individuals with an internal LOC?

  • Take responsibility for actions
  • Do not blame others
  • Less likely to be swayed by group pressure
• What are characteristics of individuals with an external LOC?

  • Do not take responsibility for actions
  • More inclined to blame others
  • More likely to go along with the group
• Who conducted research on whistleblowing in 2003?

  Chiu
• What was the sample size in Chiu's research?

  306 participants
• What were participants asked about in Chiu's study?

  Their LOC and intention to whistleblow
• What did Chiu's results indicate about internal LOC participants?

  They were more likely to whistleblow
• What does morality refer to?

  Beliefs about right and wrong
• Can an individual's morality differ from societal norms?

  Yes, it can operate outside societal norms
• Give examples of actions based on personal morality.

  • Animal rights activist smashing labs
  • Student opposing school uniform policy
  • Individual choosing not to vote due to corruption
• How do strong moral values affect individuals in crowds?

  They are unlikely to be swayed by public opinion
• Who are examples of individuals standing up for moral beliefs?

  • Rosa Parks
  • Ghandi
  • 'Tank Man'
• What are the strengths of dispositional factors in crowd behaviour?

  • Historical examples validate morality's role
  • Locus of control applies to various social behaviours
• What are the weaknesses of dispositional factors in crowd behaviour?

  • Bocchiaro et al. found no personality differences
  • Self-reports may not reflect true actions
• What did Bocchiaro et al. (2012) find about whistle-blowing?

  No real personality differences among employees
• What is a limitation of measuring morality with self-reports?

  People may act differently than they report