Obedience (AQA A Level Psychology): Exam Questions

Outline one explanation for obedience.

Briefly outline and evaluate the findings of any one study of social influence.

A researcher is interested in studying the ways in which obedience can occur in real-world situations. She compiles a questionnaire consisting of closed questions on a range of everyday situations which could result in obedience. 100 participants completed the questionnaire.

Explain how the reliability of the researcher’s questionnaire could be assessed.

Outline one ethical issue that has arisen in obedience research. Refer to Milgram's study of obedience in your answer.

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.

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.

Outline two explanations for obedience.

Briefly evaluate one of the explanations that you have outlined in your previous answer.

At the next history club meeting, the teacher in charge tells the group that they must give balanced views rather than one-sided criticisms, and that anyone who doesn’t follow this rule will no longer be allowed to attend. After this, the whole group — including Maya — starts giving more balanced opinions.

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