Adorno (AO1) Flashcards
what was the aim of Adorno’s research?
to investigate the role of disposition in obedience
what was the sample used in Adorno’s research?
2000 middle-class white American
what was the procedure of Adorno’s research?
-developed several scales to measure an individuals unconscious attitudes towards other racial groups including the potential for fascism scale
what were the finings of Adorno’s research?
- authoritarian individuals identified with strong people
- were contemptuous of the weak
- conscious of their own status
- showed excessive respect
- deference and servility to those of higher status
- held fixed and distinctive stereotypes and prejudicial beliefs
when was Adorno’s research carried out?
1950
what was the conclusion of Adorno’s research?
- ppl with an authoritarian personality have a tendency to be obedient to authority
- dismissive of inferiors and inflexible in their outlook
what did Adorno argue?
- people with an Authoritarian Personality first show an extreme respect for authority + view society as weaker than it once was
- therefore believe we need strong and powerful leaders to enforce traditional values
what is a person with an Authoritarian Personality contempt for those of inferior social status fuelled by?
-their inflexible outlook on the world and therefore others are responsible for ills of society
what did Adorno also conclude?
-that the authoritarian personality type is formed in childhood as the result of harsh parenting
what are the features of harsh parenting?
- strict discipline
- expectation of absolute loyalty
- impossibly high standards
- severe criticism of perceived failings
- conditional love
what feelings do the experience of harsh parenting are created?
-resentment and hostility in the child which are displaced onto others who are perceived to be weaker (also known as scapegoating)
