Individual Differences in Obedience and Prejudice

Personality Factors

Authoritarian personality theorists such as Adorno et al. argue that those with authoritarian characteristics are more likely to obey and show prejudice.
The F-scale (Fascism scale) was developed by Adorno et al. to measure this authoritarianism.
According to Milgram, people who score high on measures of obedience and low on the F-scale are more likely to obey authority.
Sitkin and Pablo suggest that obedience may be influenced by one’s level of responsibility-orientation.

Situational Factors

Milgram found that obedience rates varied depending on factors like proximity and location, suggesting the situation also influences obedience.
Similarly, prejudice may be affected by situational factors, such as intergroup competition or threats to social identity.

The level of education and personal experience someone has can impact their levels of obedience and prejudice. Well-educated individuals or those with diverse experiences are typically less prejudiced.

Cognitive processes, including categorisation, stereotyping and schema processing, play vital roles in prejudice.
Likewise, social learning theory proposes that behaviours, including obedience and prejudiced views, can be learned through observing and imitating others.

Some theorists argue that obedience and prejudice could be biologically determined, though this perspective is highly debated. Examples of possible biological factors include genetics and brain structure.

Some cultures may reinforce obedient behaviours and prejudiced attitudes. Industrialized cultures tend to exhibit higher obedience and prejudice, according to Berry.