dispositional explanations

• What does the F scale measure?

  Authoritarian personality traits
• What are the main beliefs associated with fascism?

  Strong state control and military power
• What are the lesson objectives related to dispositional explanations of obedience?

  • Explain dispositional factors linked to obedience
  • Describe and evaluate authoritarian personality
  • Discuss personality testing questionnaires
• What is a dispositional explanation?

  Focus on individual personality factors
• Who developed the concept of the authoritarian personality?

  Adorno
• What characterizes an authoritarian personality?

  Submissive to authority and dismissive of inferiors
• What does the F-scale measure?

  Authoritarian personality traits
• What was the sample used by Adorno in his study?

  2000+ white, middle-class male Americans
• What correlation did Adorno find in his study?

  Positive correlation between prejudice and authoritarianism
• What factors might create an authoritarian personality?

  • Harsh parenting
  • Strict discipline
  • High expectations
  • Conditional love
• How does Adorno suggest resentment is expressed by individuals with an authoritarian personality?

  They displace it onto others, scapegoating
• What are the characteristics of individuals with an authoritarian personality?

  • Obedient to authority
  • Discrimination against lower status
  • Conventional attitudes towards sex, gender, and race
  • Belief in threats to their country and religion
• What is acquiescence response bias?

  Tendency to agree with survey statements
• What are some evaluation points for the authoritarian personality theory?

  • Research from Milgram and Elms
  • Correlation between obedience and authoritarianism
  • Applicability to real life
  • Political bias towards right-wing authoritarianism
  • Acquiescence bias in questionnaires
• How many middle-class white Americans were used to develop the F-scale?

  More than 2000
• What should students do to enhance their evaluation points for the authoritarian personality theory?

  Use the textbook for additional details