Discuss the Authoritarian Personality as an explanation for obedience.
Updated: Oct 7
Question 10 Mark Scheme
Discuss the Authoritarian Personality as an explanation for obedience. In your answer, distinguish between dispositional and situational explanations.
[16 marks]
What is expected in the answer?
The command word “discuss” requires students to describe the Authoritarian Personality accurately and then evaluate how successfully it explains obedience. For 16 marks, the majority of the response should be developed discussion, including evidence, limitations and comparison with alternatives. Students must also explicitly distinguish a dispositional explanation from situational explanations, rather than merely naming situational factors.
The current AQA specification identifies the Authoritarian Personality as the dispositional explanation for obedience, alongside situational variables including proximity, location and uniform.
Marks for this question: AO1 = 6, AO3 = 10
Level | Marks | Description |
4 | 13–16 | Knowledge of the Authoritarian Personality as an explanation for obedience is accurate and generally well detailed. The distinction between dispositional and situational explanations is clear and effective. Discussion is thorough and focused, including relevant evidence, limitations and/or alternative explanations. Specialist terminology is used effectively. Minor detail or expansion may occasionally be lacking. |
3 | 9–12 | Knowledge of the Authoritarian Personality is evident but there may be occasional inaccuracies or omissions. There is a mostly clear distinction between dispositional and situational explanations. Discussion is mostly effective but may lack development or focus in places. Specialist terminology is generally used appropriately. |
2 | 5–8 | Limited knowledge of the Authoritarian Personality is present. The response is mainly descriptive and discussion is of limited effectiveness. The distinction between dispositional and situational explanations may be incomplete or unclear. The answer lacks accuracy, clarity or organisation in places. |
1 | 1–4 | Knowledge is very limited or muddled. Discussion is limited, poorly focused or absent. There is little or no meaningful distinction between dispositional and situational explanations. Specialist terminology is absent or used inappropriately. |
0 | 0 | No relevant content. |
The weighting reflects AQA's typical approach to a 16-mark “discuss” question without application, where AO3 carries greater weight than AO1. AQA's 2022 situational-variables essay, for example, allocated 6 marks to AO1 and 10 to AO3.
Indicative content
AO1: The Authoritarian Personality
Credit relevant knowledge such as:
The Authoritarian Personality is a dispositional explanation of obedience.
A dispositional explanation attributes behaviour to internal characteristics of the individual, such as personality, rather than features of the immediate situation.
The Authoritarian Personality consists of a collection of personality characteristics associated with a greater tendency to obey people perceived to have higher status.
It has been associated with strict or rigid parenting.
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