Individual differences

Question 1

How does personality (locus of control) explain obedience levels?

Answer 1

Proposed by Rotter = internal and external locus of control

INTERNAL - feel responsible for your actions and their consequences = less likely to be obedient

EXTERNAL - believe their actions and their consequences are controlled by external factors (luck or fate) = more likely to be obedient EXTERNAL

Question 2

What research explains how Locus Of control in personality affects obedience?

Answer 2

Blass = analysed data from Milgrams study using more modern statistical tests = found that 37% with a high internal locus of control where disobedient, compared to 23% with a high external locus of control being disobedient

Question 3

what is the authoritarian personality? how does it relate to obedience?

Answer 3

demonstrating obedience to a legitimate authority figure OR suppressing individuals you consider to be inferior, due to a harsh upbringing + measured by Adorno’s F-scale

= leads to more obedience

Question 4

Which research supports authorisation personality and its effect on obedience?

Answer 4

Elms and Milgram = found that fully obedient individuals scored higher on the F-Scale measuring authoritarian personality compared to defiant participants

Question 5

What is gender?

Answer 5

We develop gender identity (masculinity and femininity) due to socialisation

Gender stereotypes can change how we perceive ourselves and others (women are perceived to be more obedient than men)

Question 6

What does research from Milgram say about gender affecting obedience?

Answer 6

Milgram #8 found 65% obedience from women = the same as men = no significant gender differences in obedience

However, women report higher stress levels and tension = possibly because women are more empathetic

Question 7

What does research from Burger say about gender differences and obedience?

Answer 7

Burgers replication of Milgram found no significant gender differences in obedience levels

Question 8

What does evidence from Kilham and Mann say about gender differences and obedience?

Answer 8

Kilham and Mann replicated Milgram and found 40% obedience in men and 16% obedience in women = men more obedience = gender difference

possibly explained by women being more likely to form an alliance with the victim

Question 9

What does evidence from Sheridan and King say about gender and obedience?

Answer 9

Sheridan and King replicated Milgram but used a PUPPY as the learner = found 100% obedience from women and 54% obedience from men

= women more obedient than men = gender differences