Problem 10 - An Introduction to Theories of Personality

Question

A terrorist blows up a building in a hated foreign country. How might Allport explain the terrorist's behavior?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

In the light of Allport's theories, the terrorist’s act of blowing up a building can be seen as an extreme form of prejudice, classified as 'extermination' on Allport’s Scale. It suggests that the terrorist dehumanized the people in the hated foreign country, viewing them as less than human, and deserving violent actions.

Step 1: Understand Allport’s Scale

Allport’s Scale of Prejudice is a measure of the manifestation of prejudice in individuals or societies. It ranges from antilocution (talking against an individual or group), avoidance, discrimination, physical attack, and finally extermination (violence directed at the disliked group, like genocide or wiping out the group completely).

Step 2: Apply the Scale to the given situation

The given situation involves a terrorist blowing up a building in a foreign country, which signifies intense prejudice and hatred. This action can be categorized as an instance of ‘extermination’ as per Allport's Scale.

Step 3: Discuss Allport’s explanation

Allport might explain the terrorist's behavior as an extreme manifestation of prejudice and hatred, possibly fuelled by perceived differences and dehumanization of the 'other'. The terrorist's actions represent an extreme progression on Allport's Scale, where violence is directed towards the entire group rather than an individual.