Obedience (AQA A Level Psychology)

Outline one explanation for obedience.

Discuss the authoritarian personality as an explanation for obedience.

Discuss ethical issues in social influence research.

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.

Discuss legitimacy of authority as an explanation for obedience.

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