The Impact of Individual Differences and Personality on Obedience

Abstract

In this research paper, I will explore and examine studies on obedience within psychology, using the OCEAN personality scale to determine whether there is a correlation between personality and the level of obedience displayed by individuals. This topic is relevant in psychology because it has numerous practical applications that can assist teachers and counselors in developing strategies for early identification of disobedience or students who are overly compliant, helping the youth to which if unmonitored can increase their likelihood of gangs and unlawful acts. Aside from the classic Stanley Milgram studies and subsequent sets of studies, there has not been a great deal of research on obedience and its relationship to interpersonal personalities. I assess and correlate a variety of previous studies to determine whether a correlation exists. Results show that people with specific OCEAN scale traits, such as agreeableness and conscientiousness, have a correlation with obedience, where initially these attributes are viewed favorably by society, but under the wrong influence, they are more susceptible to being controlled.