Obedience

Outline the Authoritarian Personality as an explanation for obedience.

Outline one limitation of the Authoritarian Personality explanation for obedience.

Later that day, the headteacher calls each of the boys in the group to his office one-by-one, including Charlie.

He explains that the school jumper should not be worn inside-out, and that a detention will be given to any boy who disobeys. From then on, each boy wears their jumper correctly.

Use your knowledge of obedience to explain the boys’ behaviour.

Students Natasha and Tanya are buying food in the supermarket on their way home from school. As they are paying, they notice their psychology teacher, Mr Boat, at the far end of the queue. They both smile and wave.

Mr Boat shouts, “Hey, you two! I think you owe me homework. Wait there so we can have a quick chat.”

Natasha and Tanya finish paying, glance at each other giggling and hurry out of the supermarket.

Using your knowledge of obedience research, explain possible reasons why the students failed to obey their teacher.

Describe how situational variables have been found to affect obedience. Discuss what these situational variables tell us about why we obey.

Discuss legitimacy of authority as an explanation for obedience.

It is the end of the school day and Freddie is pushing other students in the bus queue.

“Stop it, will you?” protests one of Freddie’s classmates.

“You can’t tell me what to do!” laughs Freddie.

At that moment, Freddie turns to see the deputy head, wearing a high-visibility jacket, staring angrily at him. Without thinking, Freddie stops pushing the other boys and waits quietly in line.

Discuss the legitimacy of authority and agentic state explanations of obedience. Refer to Freddie’s behaviour in your answer.

Outline what is meant by ‘agentic state’ as an explanation for obedience.

Discuss the authoritarian personality as an explanation for obedience.

Outline one alternative explanation for obedience.