Obedience and Bystander Intervention Key Concepts

Key Concepts of Obedience and Bystander Intervention

Obedience to Authority

  • Study Participation: Participants volunteered, potentially feeling obligated, especially as they had no prior experience with psychological research, making them susceptible to following orders.
  • Authoritarian Personality: Described by Theodor Adorno (1950), individuals with this personality tend to be more compliant due to respect for authority. Key traits include rigid beliefs, strong justice convictions, and politeness toward authority figures. The F-Scale measures this personality type, predicting higher obedience in those scoring well on the scale.
  • Momentum of Compliance: This concept explains that as individuals start a task (e.g., administering shocks), they feel compelled to continue due to incremental steps, facilitating greater overall obedience.

Personality Factors Affecting Obedience

  • Locus of Control: This involves how much control a person perceives over their actions. An internal locus of control suggests self-direction and less obedience, while an external locus of control indicates susceptibility to external expectations, making one more obedient.

Bystander Intervention

  • Personal Factors Influencing Help:
    • Competence: If individuals possess skills (e.g., CPR), they are more likely to intervene directly in emergencies.
    • Mood: Positive moods enhance willingness to help, while negative moods may lead to self-focus and reluctance to assist.
    • Similarity: Identifying with a victim increases the likelihood of providing help, as the situation feels more relatable.

Situational Factors Affecting Help

  • Cost of Helping: Perceived risks or costs associated with helping (e.g., danger to oneself) may deter intervention. Conversely, if the cost of not helping (e.g., guilt) is assessed as higher, individuals may be compelled to help.
  • The Machinist Experiment: Solomon Asch's experiments illustrated conformity; participants were influenced to conform due to peer pressure when unsure of answers. Factors like the size of the majority and unanimity significantly influence conformity.

Summary of Key Terms

  • Momentum of Compliance: Feeling compelled to finish what one starts.
  • Authoritarian Personality: A character trait characterized by rigid beliefs and high respect for authority.
  • F-Scale: A questionnaire to identify authoritarian personality traits.
  • Locus of Control: Belief regarding personal control over outcomes in life, which impacts conformity and obedience.